Forget the picture of sails disappearing into the sunset with no further contact until their return.The volunteer crews in this dramatic race can keep in touch with home no matter how far they go!
BT Portishead Radio will become such an important lifeline and friend for the crews calling from even the most inhospitable oceans that radio operators will be on first-name terms with many crew volunteers during the race. Portishead, supported by a network of medium and short range coastal radio stations around the United Kingdom, will maintain BT's 24-hour, 7-day-a-week terrestrial service to and from the fleet.

Maritime Radio Services

BT provides a worldwide radio communications service linking ships, offshore vessels, aircraft and fixed land stations with the national and international telecommunications system.

Radiotelephone, radiotelex and wireless telegraphy are the three main forms of communications. Messages may be sent by various combinations of them, and data can be exchanged by radiotelephone.

As well as connecting calls to and from the UK and abroad, BT also provides distress watches and connection to medical advice and assistance.

Meteorological and navigational information is broadcast on behalf of the Meteorological Office and the Hydrographer's office - including the Navtex service which is co-ordinated through selected coast stations in Northern Europe.

The radio services are divided into long, medium and
short range.

The long range service provides worldwide communications via high frequency (HF) radio links from Portishead Radio. A series of coast stations provides medium range services up to 300 miles from the UK on MF (medium frequency), and short range services up to 40 miles from the UK coast on VHF (very high frequency).

The public radio service forms part of BT's Aeronautical and Maritime Services. A wide range of radio and satellite facilities is offered for mobile and remote stations - including ships, aircraft and the offshore industry - as well as radio systems consultancy, design, production, installation and maintenance.