Auck. distress channel used as telephone line

Press, 16 January 1986, Page 25

Auck. distress channel used as telephone line

PA Auckland Auckland boaties have turned the radio distress channel into a telephone line, the Auckland ‘’Star” has reported. They have made more than 100 calls a day this summer through the Post Office marine communication centre, Auckland Radio, and most have been for purposes other than emergencies, including business calls.

The radio-telephone service enables users to call any number in the world from sea. Auckland Radio manager Fred Gates said demand doubled this summer, from 1600 calls last January to 1423 in the first 12 days of this month. On average, six distress

calls are made each day to Auckland Radio.

Boaties have been using the distress channel to call Auckland Radio where an operator connects them with the international exchange.

Mr Gates said the operator put the distress channel on to a loud speaker while connecting radio calls with the exchange. “I couldn’t give a 100 per cent assurance, but we take every care we won’t miss distress calls,” he said.

Mr Gates said the distress channel had to be used for radio calls as it was the only channel monitored 24 hours a day.

Mr Gates said Auckland Radio had enough staff to cope with demand and was

not concerned at the big number of ordinary calls coming through on the distress channel.