Changes to Irish Coast Guard VHF channels on the horizon

Date Published : September 1st, 2020    Published By : admin

The Irish Coast Guard is proposing changes to its VHF channels.

Amendments to transmitting frequencies are required to harmonise the VHF maritime mobile band internationally, and the Coast Guard is required to upgrade its radio equipment at various transmitting sites.

According to Afloat.ie, the upgrades are expected to take place between Monday 5 October and mid-December, with dates for the channel changeovers yet to be confirmed. The affected remote sites are listed below:

Site	Radio Call Sign	Current Channel	New Channel
Howth Hts	Dublin Coast Guard	CH 83	CH 03
Rosslare Hts	Rosslare Coast Guard	CH 23	CH 05
Mine Hd Hts	Mine Head Coast Guard	CH 83	CH 03
Cork Hts	Cork Coast Guard	CH 26	CH 02
Bantry Hts	Bantry Coast Guard	CH 23	CH 05
Valentia Hts	Valentia Coast Guard	CH 24	CH 62
Shannon Hts	Shannon Coast Guard	CH 28	CH 64
Belmullet Hts	Belmullet Coast Guard	CH 83	CH 63
Clifden Hts	Clifden Coast Guard	CH 26	CH 03
Malin Hd Hts	Malin Head Coast Guard	CH 23	CH 05
Scalp Mountain	Malin Head Coast Guard	CH 85	CH 01
Glen Hd Hts	Glen Head Coast Guard	CH 24	CH 03

The remaining sites of Carlingford, Wicklow, Mizen Head, Galway, Clew Bay, Donegal Bay, Galley Head, Lough Ree and Lough Derg will retain their currently assigned channel.

Howth Coast Guard. Pic: Declan Keogh / Emergency Times

Channel 16 will not be affected by the changes and C16 will remain available at each remote site for distress, safety and calling while Channel 67 is also available when required but may not always be monitored.

The Irish Coast Guard intends to inform the public on the progress of the upgrade works via social media and Department of Transport website and by broadcasting on the channel that will be changing in the days leading up to the switchover.

Source: Afloat.ie

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