What to do

If you get into difficulty in Australian waters and need to activate your 406 EPIRB, or transmit a distress call on your radio, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra will receive your distress signal or be notified of your situation.

The Centre operates 24 hours a day and will coordinate your rescue or delegate the role to the relevant regional police organisation.

During an emergency make sure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket, listen carefully to the instructions being given by your rescuers and above all, stay calm.

Travelling the world's oceans is a truly breathtaking and rewarding experience, but on any stretch of water you can be exposed to foul weather and potential danger.

Remember: You're the skipper, you're responsible. Plan, prepare, check the weather forecast regularly, log on to the marine radio network when you leave port and don't forget to log off when you're safely home.