Familiarise Me
Know what to expect. Arrive ready.
Short, interactive familiarisation for anyone preparing to join a volunteer team or structured organisation, so you arrive at your induction with a clearer picture and better questions.
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Start here: the core (for everyone)
Choose your buckets
How it works
No account, no sign-in. Pick a pathway and work through at your own pace, about 5 to 10 minutes per session. Each session follows the same pattern:
- Learn – a short explanation with the key points and a clear example.
- Do – one hands-on activity or scenario.
- Recall – a few quick questions, including some from earlier sessions.
- Bring it to induction – note what you understand and what you'd like to ask.
Where this fits
- Interest in volunteering
- Familiarise Me – general understanding and preparation
- Your organisation's own induction
- Practical instruction and assessment
- Authorisation to perform the role, given by your organisation
Radio communication
For people whose volunteer role may involve using or listening to a radio. These sessions introduce the words, habits and call types so the real training makes more sense.
Radio operators
Monitor the radio, take log-ons from boaters, keep accurate records, and are often the first contact when someone needs help.
Radio pocket card
A one-page summary of the phonetic alphabet, procedure words, priority calls and good habits.
Open the radio pocket cardFurther reading (optional)
Marine Radio Operators Handbook
The Australian Maritime College handbook is free to read online.
Australian Maritime College: Office of Maritime Communications (opens in a new tab)Sources: Transport WA – Marine radios (opens in a new tab) · NT Government – Distress and urgency calls (opens in a new tab) · Australian Maritime College (opens in a new tab)
On the water
For people whose volunteer role may involve boats or working near the water. These sessions introduce common terms and how to get yourself ready.
Vessel crew
Crew the rescue vessels for assists, searches, training and patrols, working under the direction of the skipper.
Rules vary by state and territory
Boating rules, including lifejacket requirements, are set by each state and territory marine safety agency. Look up the rules where you'll be operating.
Distress beacons
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) explains beacon types and free registration.
AMSA: Beacon owners (opens in a new tab)Why volunteer?
Volunteers help keep communities running and people safe. Most have no background in the work when they start. What matters is being reliable, willing to learn and a good team member.
Learn: what volunteers do
Frontline roles
Work directly with people, often in busy or changing situations, under the direction of a team leader.
Support roles
Back up the front line, for example by communicating, coordinating, keeping accurate records and helping the team stay organised.
Behind the scenes
Training, maintenance, administration, fundraising, community education and more. Every group relies on these.
Roles, names and pathways differ between organisations. Your group will explain its own structure.
Learn: what you can get out of it
- Skills you can use anywhere: communication, first aid, teamwork and staying calm under pressure.
- Recognised training: some roles lead to formal training and qualifications. This varies by organisation.
- Community: you'll join a team of people who look out for each other and for the community.
- Purpose: the work directly helps people in your community.
Do: what's your why?
You may be asked to share this at your first session. It's a great way to meet the team.
Recall
Being a great volunteer, and looking after yourself
Emergency service teams run on trust. People need to know you'll turn up, follow instructions, keep information private and speak up about safety.
Learn: the basics
- Be reliable. If you can't make a shift or training, tell the right person as early as you can.
- Keep it confidential. Information about incidents, callers and people you help stays within the organisation. Don't post it or discuss it outside.
- Think before you post. Check your organisation's rules before sharing photos or videos of your workplace, equipment or people.
- Speak up about safety. If you see a hazard or damaged equipment, report it. Everyone is responsible for safety.
- Fit for duty. If you're overtired, unwell or affected by alcohol or medication, you shouldn't be on shift. Tell someone. That's the professional choice.
- Look after yourself. Some situations can be upsetting. It's normal to be affected. Talk to someone. Your organisation will explain the support available to you.
If you ever need to talk to someone urgently, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.
Do: what would you do?
Clear communication in a team
In any structured team, from emergency services to events to workplaces, most mistakes come from messages that were unclear, half-heard or assumed. A few simple habits prevent most of them.
Learn: closed-loop communication
The person receiving an instruction confirms it, then reports back when it's done. Nobody has to wonder whether the message landed.
- Instruction given. “Please check the training room is clear and report back.”
- Receiver confirms. “Checking the training room is clear.”
- Action completed.
- Completion reported. “Training room checked and clear.”
Learn: other habits that help
- Listen before responding. Let the other person finish.
- Be clear and brief. Say who, what, where and what you need.
- Check, don't assume. If you're not sure, ask. It's faster than fixing a mistake.
- Speak up respectfully. If something seems unsafe or wrong, say so, whatever your experience level.
- Take feedback well. Correction in training is how everyone improves.
Do: what's missing?
Someone reports:
Select everything that's missing or unclear, then check.
Recall
Sound it out: the phonetic alphabet
On a radio, letters like B, D, P and T sound almost the same. The phonetic alphabet gives each letter a word that is hard to mishear.
Learn
Tap any letter to hear it spoken (sound depends on your device).
Numbers are usually spoken one digit at a time. For example, 125 is “one two five”. Many operators say “niner” for 9 so it isn't confused with “five”. Your trainers will confirm local practice.
Do: spell it out
How you would say it on the radio:
Recall
Bring it to training
Practise spelling your own name out loud three times this week, without looking. Can you do it without hesitating?
Radio language and good habits
Radio is one-way at a time. Only one person can talk on a channel, so short standard words (called procedure words, or “prowords”) keep conversations clear and quick.
Learn: common procedure words
| Say | Meaning |
|---|
Learn: tips when operating a radio
- Listen first. Before you speak, listen to make sure you won't talk over someone, especially an emergency.
- Think, then press. Know what you're going to say before you press the button.
- Press, pause, speak. Wait about a second after pressing so your first word isn't cut off.
- Speak clearly at a normal pace. Don't shout. Hold the microphone a few centimetres from your mouth, slightly to the side.
- Keep it short. Say what's needed, then release the button so others can reply.
- Write it down. Accurate notes matter. If you missed something, say “Say again” rather than guessing.
Do: match the word to its meaning
Recall
Bring it to training
Which of these habits do you think would be hardest under pressure? Note it down to ask about.
Priority calls: Mayday, Pan Pan and Sécurité
Some calls take priority over everything else on the radio. Recognising them, and knowing which is which, is one of the most important things a radio operator does.
Learn
MAYDAY
Used only when a vessel or person faces grave and immediate danger and needs urgent help.
Said three times: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”.
PAN PAN
An urgent situation that doesn't justify a distress call, for example a medical issue on board where the vessel itself isn't in danger.
Pronounced “pahn pahn”, said three times.
SÉCURITÉ
A safety message warning others about a hazard, such as something floating in a channel or bad weather.
Pronounced “say-cure-ee-tay”, said three times.
What a Mayday message contains
State marine safety agencies (for example in Western Australia and the Northern Territory) describe a distress call in this order. Recognising it helps you write it down accurately.
Sources: Transport WA – Marine radios (opens in a new tab) and NT Government – Distress and urgency calls (opens in a new tab). How your organisation receives, records and responds to these calls is taught at training.
Do: which priority is it?
Read each situation and choose the type of call it describes.
Recall
Bring it to training
Was there a situation above where you weren't sure? Write it down. Grey areas are great questions for your trainers.
Listen and log
Many boaters “log on” by radio before a trip, giving their details and expected return time so someone knows to look for them if they don't return. Capturing those details accurately is a core radio skill.
Learn
A typical log-on includes details like these. The exact details and format your organisation uses will be covered at training.
- Vessel name (and call sign if it has one)
- Number of people on board
- Where they're leaving from and where they're going
- Expected return time
Do: listen and write it down
Press Play and listen once, without reading the script. Fill in what you heard, then check your answers. These are made-up calls to a made-up station.
Recall
Bring it to training
What was hardest to catch: names, numbers or times? Tell your trainers. That's where practice helps most.
Boat basics: speak the language
On a vessel, instructions need to be understood instantly. “Left” and “right” change depending on which way you face, so boats use words that don't.
Learn: key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
Memory tip: “port” and “left” both have four letters.
Do: match the term
Learn: knots and lines
Crew handle ropes (called lines once they're in use on a boat) all the time: tying up, towing and securing gear. Knots commonly taught to crew include the bowline, clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches and the cleat hitch. Your trainers will show you the ones your organisation uses. Knots are best learned hands on, so there's nothing to memorise here yet.
Recall
Personal readiness and safety gear
Being ready before you step aboard keeps you, your crew and the people you're helping safe.
Learn: get yourself ready
- Lifejackets: wear the lifejacket you're given and make sure it's fitted and fastened. Lifejacket rules are set by each state and territory, and your organisation may have stricter rules.
- Sun and weather: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and layers. It's often colder and windier on the water than on shore.
- Water and food: bring water and a snack. Dehydration affects concentration.
- Seasickness: if you're prone to it, get advice before your first trip, and tell the skipper if you feel unwell on board.
- Footwear: enclosed, non-slip shoes. Decks get wet.
- Rest: turn up rested. Fatigue causes mistakes.
Learn: distress beacons
Many vessels carry an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). People may also carry a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). When activated, these send a distress alert that helps searchers locate the vessel or person. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says registering a beacon is free and, in some cases, mandatory by law. Source: AMSA – Beacon owners (opens in a new tab).
Do: pack your bag
Recall
Preparing for your first induction
A final review of the core sessions, and three things to bring to your induction.
Recall: mixed review
Bring it to training
Bring these three things to your induction:
- one question about the role
- one example of good communication you've seen or used
- one area you'd like more practice in
Write it on paper or in your phone too, and bring it on the day.
Radio pocket card
A one-page summary. Print it or save it as a PDF (use your browser's Print option).
Phonetic alphabet
Procedure words
Priority calls
| MAYDAY | Distress: grave and immediate danger |
|---|---|
| PAN PAN | Urgency: urgent, but not distress |
| SÉCURITÉ | Safety: warning of a hazard |
Good habits
Listen first · Think, then press · Press, pause, speak · Clear, normal pace · Keep it short · Write it down · If unsure, “Say again”
General familiarisation only. Not a qualification or authorisation to operate marine radio. Your organisation's procedures take priority.