Marine Search and Rescue
The Emergency Management Act 2005, in conjunction with the Emergency Management Regulations 2006, establishes the Commissioner of Police as the Hazard Management Agency (HMA) within Western Australia (WA) for persons lost or in distress on land or in a marine environment.
The Water Police Coordination Centre (WPCC) based at Water Police in North Fremantle is staffed 24 hours a day by radio/call takers and police officers who are nationally trained Search and Rescue Mission Controllers. Specialised computer software assists in the establishment of search areas.
In WA, 37 volunteer marine rescue groups are strategically placed along our coast between Wyndham in the north and Esperance in the south. The volunteer marine rescue groups are heavily relied upon and are usually the first resource to be deployed for search and rescues. Other government agencies, commercial vessels and aircraft are also called upon to assist.
Coast Radio Perth and Coast Radio Hedland
The Water Police Coordination Centre operates Coast Radio Perth and Coast Radio Hedland and is responsible for scheduled weather and marine safety information broadcasts.
The WPCC monitors the following distress and calling frequencies:
- VHF Channel 16 and 67
- HF 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz
