About the Pacific Seafarer's Net

The Pacific Seafarer's Net represents one of the most important volunteer communication networks serving the maritime community worldwide. Our dedicated team of licensed amateur radio operators provides essential communication services to sailing and motoring vessels operating on all oceans.

Who We Are

We are a network of volunteer Amateur Radio Operators committed to maritime safety and communication excellence. Our land station Net Control Amateur Stations are located in various locations throughout the Continental United States, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand, providing comprehensive coverage across vast ocean regions.

Our operators are licensed through the American Radio Relay League and international amateur radio organizations, maintaining the highest standards of communication proficiency and emergency preparedness.

What We Do

Communications traffic handled by our network includes daily position reporting with automatic posting to multiple websites, message handling via email relays, health and welfare traffic coordination, phone patch services, search and rescue coordination, and comprehensive vessel equipment inventories for search and rescue operations.

Daily Position Reporting

Net control stations maintain sophisticated computer databases tracking participating vessels and their movements throughout the oceans. By taking daily position reports from vessels in-transit, we provide valuable services to both the maritime community and concerned families ashore.

Emergency Services

Life-threatening emergencies receive immediate priority from any vessel, whether or not they hold amateur radio licenses. Our network maintains detailed inventories of participating vessels, including emergency contact information, vessel specifications, safety equipment manifests, and crew details that can be immediately passed to Search and Rescue operations such as the US Coast Guard, international maritime rescue coordination centers, and other emergency responders.

Maritime Weather Support

The position reports and weather observations we collect serve an important role in maritime forecasting. Information taken from vessels assists other seafarers with weather routing and sea state planning. Additionally, this data is utilized by professional forecasters in New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, and the US National Weather Service as part of the Maritime Observations (MAROB) program.

Maritime weather forecasting relies heavily on direct observations from vessels at sea. Our network contributes to this critical data collection effort, enhancing forecast accuracy for all ocean users.

Family Peace of Mind

Many relatives of people aboard vessels at sea express profound gratitude for our tracking and charting service. The ability to monitor their loved ones' progress and status removes considerable anxiety during long ocean passages. Parents, spouses, and children of sailors appreciate having reliable updates that confirm safe progress and wellbeing.

This family connection aspect of our service, while perhaps less technical than emergency coordination, provides immeasurable value to the maritime community. Knowing that someone is listening, someone cares, and someone will raise the alarm if needed brings tremendous peace of mind to those with family members at sea.

Volunteer Service Excellence

Our entire network operates on volunteer dedication. Net controllers, scribes, and support staff donate their time, equipment, and expertise to serve the maritime community. This spirit of service reflects the finest traditions of amateur radio's commitment to public service and emergency communications.

Every position report logged, every message relayed, and every family member reassured represents hours of volunteer commitment to maritime safety. We take pride in this service and continuously work to improve our capabilities and coverage.

International Cooperation

The Pacific Seafarer's Net operates as part of a broader network of maritime mobile ham radio services worldwide. We coordinate with other nets, share information with maritime authorities, and maintain relationships with rescue coordination centers across multiple nations.

This international cooperation reflects the global nature of ocean sailing and the borderless community of amateur radio operators dedicated to maritime service.

Join Our Mission

We welcome participation from licensed amateur radio operators who share our commitment to maritime safety and communication service. Whether you're interested in becoming a net controller, serving as a scribe, or participating as a maritime mobile station, there are many ways to contribute to this vital service.