Safety services for recreational vessels conducting ocean passages
Passage Guardian Radio ZMH292 is a government licensed high frequency (HF) maritime coast station located in the South Island of New Zealand.
The primary service area extends from 120E to 120W. Communication outside this area may be unreliable.
When checking in, skippers may request weather forecasts and warnings published by government meteorologists.
Published 05-Sep-2026 [subject to change]
HF radio schedule is for the route between Cape of Good Hope through to Cape Horn.
| Longitude | Time UTC | Frequency kHz |
|---|---|---|
| 18E - 90E | 19:00 | 12353 |
| 90E - 120E | 09:00 | 12353 |
| 120E - 170W | 08:00 | 8713 |
| 170W - 67W | 06:00 | 12353 |
| 170W - 67W | 08:00 | 8713 |
Prior to race start, ensure vessel marine HF radio is programmed and operational on 12353 kHz and 8713 kHz simplex (transmit & receive) using upper side band (J3E/USB).
If you miss an 08:00 UTC 8713 kHz schedule, or do not hear anything, try again at 09:00 UTC on 12353 kHz.
8713 kHz at 08:00 UTC is a secondary schedule for 170W through to Cape Horn in the event communication is not possible on 12353 kHz.
I may ask you to change frequency when talking to you. If we are on 8713 kHz, then the frequency we will move to will be 12353 kHz and vice versa. This does not change the daily schedule, and is to adjust for day to day changes in radio propagation.
I am on duty every day between 01 November 2026 and 22 February 2027 EXCEPT Tuesdays (pub night) and the FIRST Sunday of every month (NZ date).
If no calls are received after 10 minutes following the start of each watch, my station will close until the following watch.
I may be on duty beyond 22 February 2027, in which case I will notify you via HF radio when you check in.
©2026 Passage Guardian Charitable Trust | NZ registered charity #CC59159