As preparations continue for the Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge, the Race Management team recently had the opportunity to visit two of New Zealand’s key maritime safety operations: the Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) and the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ).
It was a fascinating look behind the scenes at the people and systems that help keep sailors safe when they head offshore — particularly when they’re doing it alone.
While the Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge is all about seamanship, endurance, and the adventure of crossing one of the world’s great ocean passages solo, a great deal of preparation goes on ashore to ensure the event is run as safely and professionally as possible.
Daily Race Skeds – The Role of the MOC
During the race, the Maritime Operations Centre will assist with handling the official race communications — known as the “skeds”. These scheduled radio check-ins are a long-standing offshore racing tradition and remain an important safety and reporting tool.
Each day during the crossing, competitors will call in at the designated time to report their position, weather conditions, and how things are going on board. For solo sailors, these skeds are an important point of connection — a moment to check in with race management and fellow competitors across the Tasman.
During our visit, Tony Graham from the MOC generously walked the team through the centre and explained how their communication systems operate. From a room filled with screens and communications equipment, the team monitors maritime activity across a huge area of ocean.
For the Solo Trans-Tasman fleet, it means that experienced professionals will be listening and recording the skeds and assisting race management in ensuring communications are received and logged correctly.
When RCCNZ Becomes Involved
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand plays a different — but critically important — role.
RCCNZ is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations across New Zealand’s search and rescue region, which is one of the largest in the world, covering millions of square kilometres of ocean.
For the Solo Trans-Tasman race, RCCNZ will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the event. Their role only comes into play if there is a genuine emergency — such as a competitor making a Mayday call or activating their EPIRB distress beacon.
During the visit, Sam Blackmore and Patrick William from RCCNZ gave Race Management an overview of how distress alerts are received and handled. The technology involved is impressive. Modern satellite systems detect EPIRB signals very quickly and can determine a vessel’s position with remarkable accuracy.
They also explained how rescue coordinators bring together information from multiple sources — satellite alerts, vessel tracking systems, weather data, and communications — to assess a situation and determine the appropriate response.
It was reassuring for the team to see the level of expertise and professionalism that sits behind New Zealand’s search and rescue system.
Technology Helping to Track the Fleet
While traditional skeds remain part of offshore sailing culture, today’s technology also provides additional ways to keep track of vessels at sea.
All competitors in the Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge will be carrying Yellow Brick satellite trackers, allowing Race Management to monitor each yacht’s progress across the Tasman in real time.
The good news for club members and supporters is that you’ll be able to follow the race yourself. The tracker positions will be available on the race website, so everyone can watch the fleet make its way across the Tasman and see how the race unfolds.
It’s always fascinating to see how different boats and skippers choose their routes as they deal with the changing Tasman Sea weather patterns.
Appreciating the People Behind the Systems
One of the most valuable aspects of the visit was the chance to meet the people who operate these systems and hear about the work they do.
The Race Management team would like to extend sincere thanks to Tony Graham at the Maritime Operations Centre, and Sam Blackmore and Patrick William from RCCNZ, for their time and generosity in sharing their knowledge.
Their willingness to talk through procedures, technology, and coordination processes has helped ensure that the Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge is well integrated with New Zealand’s wider maritime safety framework.