Maritime radio coverage

The Maritime NZ VHF radio network consists of 28 coastal stations covering NZ coastal waters and two stations on the Chatham Islands covering their coastal waters.

All VHF stations provide CH16 for distress, safety and calling as well as a seperate working channel.

The map link below shows the coverage and the working channel for a given area around the coast.
 

• 24-hours per day listening watch is kept by all VHF stations on channel 16.
• The coverage shown above is for vessels with a fully functioning 25W radio working into a correctly installed antenna mounted 4m or more above the waterline.
• Best endeavours are used to maintain continuous radio service as shown in the map above. However, coverage is not guaranteed in the entire coverage area at all times due to terrain shadows and system maintenance. Terrain shadows occur close to the shore under some cliffs or in bays and fiords.
  
  

• South Pole
• 45°S, 160°E
• 29°S, 170°E
• Equator, 170°E
• Equator, 120°W
• South Pole

INMARSAT
The INMARSAT system has coverage of all the earth's surface between 70°N and 70°S. Distress alerts can be picked up from anywhere within the coverage area. The Maritime Safety Information broadcasts, however, are sent to the South Pacific ocean and Tasman sea areas only.