Before you head out

If you are planning a boating trip, there are a number of safety measures you should take. First, inform a trusted person on shore about where you’re going, when you expect to return, and what they should do if you don’t come back as planned. Alongside Water Safety New Zealand, we have developed a handy 2-minute form you can download. It’s a quick way to record essential details about your trip, your boat, and everyone on board, and it could be invaluable in an emergency.

Second, get in touch with us and let us know about your planned adventure via a trip report.

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What's a Trip Report?

A Trip Report (TR) is just a quick message you send to Coastguard to let us know about your boating plans. We record these details under your callsign and use them for search and rescue if you’re reported overdue. Don’t worry too much if you forget to close your report, but it’s a good habit to get into. Closing your Trip Report when you get back safely helps us keep everything in check.
How do I log a trip report with Coastguard?

It’s easy! Just tune your marine VHF radio to your local Coastguard Radio station or call us on *500 from your mobile.
When you log your report, let us know:
1. The name and VHF call sign of your boat
2. Where you’re departing from
3. Your destination, route, and estimated time of arrival (ETA)
4. The number of people on board

We’ll record these details under your callsign. We won’t follow up on the report unless we hear you’re overdue, so it’s important to let someone know your plans and have them raise the alarm if needed. If you are reported overdue, this info helps us quickly narrow down the search area and find you faster.

Example of a departure trip report over VHF
Before you head out: “Coastguard Radio (up to 3 times), this is Seabird ZMQ8088 (up to 3 times). Over.”
Coastguard will reply to acknowledge your transmission: “Seabird ZMQ8088, this is Coastguard Radio, go ahead.”
Let us know your plans: “Coastguard Radio, this is Seabird, departing from Opua Marina, destination Cape Brett via Robertson Island for some fishing. ETA Robertson Island 1800 hours this evening, 4 POB. Over.”
Coastguard will confirm: “Thanks Seabird, that’s all received. Coastguard Radio Out.”
Remember it’s always good practice to close your TR when you arrive safely at your destination.
How do I log a trip report on the Coastguard app?

You can now use the Coastguard app to log your trip report – your boat details and emergency contact info are saved in the app so it’s quick and easy to do.
What about crossing a bar?

Bar crossings are a bit different because of the risks involved. We still record the same details as with a regular trip report, but we’ll follow up if you don’t close the report after a certain time - usually 15-30 minutes - because we want to make sure you’ve safely made it over the bar. It’s really important to close your bar crossing report; if you don’t, we’ll start a search-and-rescue response. Click here to read more about making a bar crossing report.
Do I need a callsign or VHF certificate to log a trip report?

Absolutely! If you’re using a VHF radio for anything other than emergencies, you need a VHF Radio Operators Certificate. Also, since all radio transmissions need to be identifiable, you’ll need a callsign. The VHF certificate is easy to get online or in a classroom, and you can secure a callsign online in just a few minutes.

Calling for help

In an emergency, dial 111 and ask for Police. If you’re using a VHF radio, use Channel 16, the international maritime distress channel, or your local VHF Channel and issue a Mayday call:

1.	Say "mayday, mayday, mayday," state your vessel name and location, and repeat three times.
2.	Provide details of the emergency if possible.
3.	Keep calling until you get a response and follow any instructions.

You can use various methods to call for help: VHF radio, cellphone, EPIRB, torch, whistle, distress flares, and more. Bringing a cellphone is a good idea but keep it in a waterproof bag. Since you might not always have cellphone coverage, having a VHF radio as a backup is essential. Remember, you’ll need a VHF Operator Certificate to use a VHF radio for non-emergency communications, and EPIRBs must be registered with RCCNZ.

Taking a boating course like Day Skipper, Boatmaster, or Sea Survival will teach you emergency procedures and how to call for help. A VHF Course will cover operating a VHF radio, requesting assistance, and responding to distress calls from other boats.