About Canoe & Kayak Manukau > Courses & Clinics > VHF Course
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VHF Course
Marine VHF Radio is the most important communication device available to us on the water. In an emergency you can call for help and get a response, not only from Coastguard, but anyone else in the area who is listening in - your saviour might be just a few minutes away in the next bay.
But your radio is not just for emergencies - we use ours on every trip out on the water. We log trip reports with the Coastguard so that they know where we are heading. And of course there is the most useful weather channel. Coastguard provides a continuous weather forecast, and also the nowcast which enables you to know exactly what is going on out there so that you can make informed decisions while out on the water. It is also used for communication between members of your group while on the water. This course is held over 2 evenings. You learn how to use the radio; learn the correct protocol and language; do a short and easy assessment; and are assigned a unique call sign so that Coastguard can easily identify you on air. Course fee includes a manual also. |