Marine Radio Repeater for lake

Boat safety on Lake Wakatipu is set to be enhanced with the installation by the Queenstown Lakes District Council of a new marine radio repeater on Cecil Peak, QLDC harbourmaster Marty Black said.


Weather permitting; the repeater will be installed early next week.


“Previously we have been reliant on ‘set to set’ radio coverage and cellphone coverage which has always been patchy in different sections of the lake. This will give us complete communications right across Lake Wakatipu,” Mr Black said.


Once the repeater was installed marine radios could be set to channel five for open channel communications.


“It’s a real safety tool that I have no doubt will prove extremely valuable,” Mr Black said.


Meanwhile any interested boaties were welcome to attend a flare training demonstration at the Frankton Marina on Tuesday (18 December). at 8.30pm.


‘”This is an opportunity to legally let off flares, any other time it is illegal except in an emergency,” Mr Black said.


Permission had to be granted by the Rescue Co ordination Centre for the training.


“Residents just need to be aware that there will be a number of flares fired on Tuesday night from the marina,” Mr Black said.