RADIO CHANNELS
Cape Palliser Marine Radio (CPMR) owns and operates three marine channels (3, 4, and 7) which cover the entire Wairarapa coast from Akitio in the north to Palliser Bay in the South. Parts of Wellington Harbour and Cook Strait are also covered.
Channel 3
Located: Whakataki
Coverage: Akitio to south of Riversdale
Channel 7
Located: Cape Palliser
Coverage: Tora to Palliser Bay
Channel 4
Located: Cape Palliser
Coverage: Palliser Bay to Cook Strait plus part of Wellington Harbour
Channels 6 and 8 are available for casual ship-to-ship communications. Channel 16 is the national rescue channel. Channels 6, 8, and 16 are not provided by CPMR.
ORGANISATION
CPMR is a non-profit incorporated society. We rely on subscriptions to operate the radio frequencies, and to supply and maintain the required equipment across four sites to provides radio coverage for the coastal area from Akitio to Cape Palliser.
Volunteers help with the installation of sites and we hire radio specialists to maintain and service the equipment. Accessing the equipment for one of the channels by helicopter is our largest cost, the other channels are accessible using vechiles. We also incur charges by Radio Spectrum Management (part of the NZ government) for the use of the radio frequencies.
Our committee is made up of representatives from fishing clubs around the Wairarapa, search and rescue, and the NZ Police. There are also three trustees.
Maritime Search and Rescue
There is no coastguard in the Wairarapa. Marine Search and Rescue (SAR) is the responsibility of the Masterton Police. Communication and information are the two key points to a successful outcome.
Cell phones only work along some parts of the Wairarapa coastline, such as near Castlepoint, Riversdale, and parts of Palliser Bay. A marine radio is essential for safe boating along the Wairarapa Coast.
All operators of a VHF radio are required to have attended and passed a VHF course. The most important things you will learn is how and when to make a MAYDAY or PAN PAN call in an emergency.
The Masterton Police, commercial fishermen, CPMRA members with home base stations, recreational fishermen, fishing clubs and the Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club, all collectively work together to keep you safe on the water.
Skippers must take responsibiltiy, checking the forecast, only going out if the conditions are suitable, and ensuring all crew are wearing lifejackets.
Mayday
The national rescue channel is CHANNEL 16 and this is monitored 24/7 by Maritime Radio in Wellington, opposite the National Rescue Centre. Any MAYDAY call should first be made on channel 16.
There maybe the odd area on the Wairarapa coast where channel 16 does not work, the MAYDAY CALL should then be repeated on channel 3 in North Wairarapa or channel 4 in South Wairarapa. CPMR has over 50 members scattered along the coast with home base radios. Chances are there is always someone listening.
The easiest way to give the co-ordinates is by activating an EPIRB that has your details already saved in the national register. Otherwise they will always be part of the MAYDAY call you make.
Any operator of a home base hearing a MADAY, should note the info of the mayday call, reply to the boat, then IMMEDIATELY dial 111 and pass the info to the NZ POLICE.
RULES
Cape Palliser Marine Radio Association Incorporated - Rules of Operation
1. All members and operators must hold a current Marine Radio Operations license issued by NZRFS or Coastguard and Maritime New Zealand.
2. Operating procedures shall be as described in the booklet General Instructions for small ships Radio telephone service Maritime New Zealand Radio handbook for coastal vessels.
3. Members of the committee shall have the right to instruct in a disciplinary manner any person using or operating the radio in a manner deemed by the committee as contrary to the rules of the association or New Zealand Radio Spectrum Management.
4. Stations in direct range of each other should use the repeater channel to make initial contact, then should change to channel 6 or 8 to continue the conversation.
5. The rules of the association shall be in addition to the Rules and Regulations pertaining to the operation of marine VHF radio telephones as laid out by Maritime New Zealand Radio handbook for costal vessels.
6. In any interpretation of the rules the committees’ decision shall be final.
7. All members shall be advised that the continuation of the service is dependent on good discipline by users and a high standard of operational use is essential.
8. All radios being used must be type approved by Radio Spectrum management and Maritime New Zealand Radio handbook for coastal vessels.
9. The use of abusive or foul language is not permitted at any time during the radio transmissions.
10. A small delay of 2 seconds shall be observed between "over's" to allow for the transmission of urgent messages. The transmission of emergency messages shall take precedence over other transmissions and radio silence shall be observed until the emergency transmissions are over.
11. No member shall repeatedly carry out radio conversations using the repeaters with a person they know is a non-member of the association.
12. Members must apply to association and register a base set.
13. The base set must use the name registered craft as its call sign including handheld mobile sets.
14. Children are not allowed to use the radio unless it is an emergency.
15. Care should be taken with radio hand pieces to ensure they do not jam on and block the radio channels.
Clubs
Ngawi Sports Fishing Club
Email: ngawifishing@gmail.com
Website: www.ngawifishingclub.co.nz
Channel: 4 & 7
The club has 10 monthly club days for members with prize money jackpotting for any species not caugth or a cancelled club day.
The Ngawi Big 3 Fishing Competition is held on the third weekend in February.
The Club operates two 3140 John Deere tractors for its members to use when launching and retrieving their boats.
Pukemanu Boating & Fishing Club
Email: pbfcinc@gmail.com
Website: www.pukemanufishingclub.co.nz
Channel: 4
The club has club weekends with prizes each month and points accumulating for the overall annual prizes.
The major annual competition is sponsored by Hunting and Fishing and is held early November, and is always a good friendly competition to kick off the new season. Based at the Pukemanu Tavern, with all fish weighed in going to auction for the Martinborough Firebrigade.
Most boats launch either at Tora or Ngawi, giving the best chance to get on the water depending on the wind direction. The Club has its own tractor at Ngawi, and members use their own 4WD vehicles at Sandy Bay, Tora.
Riversdale Fishing Club
Email: officerbfc@yahoo.com
Address: PO Box is 69040, Riversdale Beach, RD 12, Masterton
Channel: 3
Fishing Club days are usually the second weekend of the month. Weather providing.
Wairarapa Sports Fishing Club
Email: wsportfc@gmail.com
Clubrooms: Jetty Road, Castlepoint
Channel: 3
There are four major competitions held each year: Superfish (February), Tuna Tornament (Easter), Gurnard Hunt (September), Kahawai Challenge (Labour Weekend)
The club property at Castlepoint is available to all members and is equally useful for land and boat based fishing. It provides a base to run tournaments, club days, and social events. The property has a fish cleaning area with wash down, a boat wash with water blaster, a tractor for boat launching (extra fee), powered camping and caravan sites (extra fee), and a BBQ area.
Wairarapa Sports Fishing Club is fully affiliated IGFA member and encourages all forms of recreational angling with an emphasis on sustainable fishing as well as having a great time. The club was established in 1989 and is the oldest fishing club in the Wairarapa. Regular newsletters keep you up to date with upcoming competitions, club days, and social events.
Register
Please fill out this form and we'll be in touch.
Contact Us
To get in touch, please email the secretary.
secretary@cpmr.org.nz