Tas Maritime Radio officially opened their new operations centre yesterday. The new building houses the radio room, training area and marine radio museum.
Volunteer Operator Mike Jenner at the console Photo: Mark Watson
Barry McCann, project manager, said the spacious radio room enabled full access to the control console and equipment racks. The purpose built control desk opens out to enable wheelchair access should the need arise. Electric shutters on all windows offer light adjustment and security while a video surveillance system covers the whole property. The centre can operate independent of mains power for an indefinite period using batteries and a backup generator. Tas Maritime Radio provides a safety service to Tasmanian mariners through their network of ten remote VHF bases around the Tasmanian coastline with another on Barren Tier to serve inland fishers. Two long range HF bases at Snug Tiers and Bruny Island cover an area up to five hundred nautical miles around Tasmania, across to New Zealand and into the Pacific.
The whole network is operated by a single operator, in three shifts, during the day whilst at night Golden Electronics Security monitor for urgent or distress calls.
Part of the Museum display Photo: Mark Watson
The Marine radio museum has a display of radio equipment used by VIH Hobart Radio and that of Tas Maritime’s predecessors Margate Base, Tasmar Radio and Coast Radio Hobart. A large collection of post war radio transceivers, used on pleasure and commercial vessels is also on display. They range from those made in Hobart in the 1960’s to an emergency lifeboat radio made by Marconi in England. We are always on the lookout for old HF, VHF and 27meg. marine radios, radar and navigation equipment. A number of public open days will be held throughout the year.
The project was funded by grants from the Tasmanian Community Fund and Marine and Safety Tasmania along with public donations. Many trades people provided their services at cost. The Hobart City Council, owners of the leased property, and Tas Maritime’s volunteers also contributed to the project.
