After 23 years of great service, Tauranga's VHF Marine monitoring service Seacomms, which broadcasts on channels 3 and 24, is signing-off.

Operators Brenda and Bob Butler and Peter and Liz Johnstone are calling it a day and 11pm tomorrow they will make their final broadcast.

Brenda and Bob Butler, Pete and Liz Johnstone (middle couple) VHF marine radio operators. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Boaties around the Bay will know the voices of these four intimately, as many of them log their fishing trips with their service and use the channels for general chitchat about boating conditions of the day.

While the Coastguard also offers a trip log service, Seacomms' channels are favourites among boaties and fishermen alike for all the other options they offer.

Seacomms' operators monitor broadcasts from their homes from 6am until 11pm every day of the year and alert other boats or the Coastguard if someone reports trouble.

'Every boat should have a VHF radio on board,” they say.

Bob Butler started years ago with a CB radio in his car, and was one day asked to do communications for the police in emergencies. Soon after the fire service did the same thing.

As an example, he says he used to use his CB radio to alert police to abandoned cars.

'One Christmas the police asked me to do emergency services, which included boats. 'It just grew and grew from there,” says Bob.

The Butlers were also involved with Search and Rescue, acting as a mobile communications unit for them.

Twenty three years ago the fishing club suggested they set up a crew for VHF Marine service to handle competitions and club stuff. Since then they have provided communication services for sailing competitions and jet boat races, to name a few.

'We have enjoyed ourselves over the years,” says Liz Johnstone. 'We got a lot of pleasure out of it.”

'We haven't had any headaches,” adds Bob. 'All misshaps have been saved and I think we only lost three boats over the years.”

After 35 years of dealing with the public, Bob says it's time to call it a day and move on, though he doesn't know yet what he is going to do with his time.

The team have had a close relationship with the Tauranga Sport Fishing Club.

'Our members have really appreciated the services Seacomms have provided over the years and we are hoping to find a way to continue the service,” says club manager Roly Bagshaw.

Now the service is closing down, he says Tauranga's Sport Fishing Club is keen to take it over.

'If those channels aren't being retained, they will probably be lost forever to the Bay,” says Bob.

In association with the Coastguard, the club is negotiating taking over the channels, while also figuring out how to crew the station.

From April 1, boaties can log their trips with the Coastguard, on channel 83. This cannel is monitored 24/7, says Coastguard operations manager Simon Barker.

'We are happy to help out while the Sport Fishing Club tries to find a way to maintain the service.

'We will also listen in a channel 3, just to be sure.”

'It's all about safety for boaties,” says Roly. 'Between us, the club and coastguard, we will come up with a solution.”

Channel 24 has been a side channel, where longer conversations take place, while chats on Channel 3 generally need to be as brief as possible. Channel 24 is also the home for boating events.

Club and Coastguard get on well, they are neighbours on Sulphur Point, and both aim to make life on the water safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Until the Sport Fishing Club is able to pick up the work done by Seacomms, all boaties should log their trips with the Coastguard on Channel 83.