Theft endangers coast guard

Yeppoon Coastguard radio operator Rowena Fowler’s work was hampered by the theft of batteries at the repeater station at Byfield.

Allan Reinikka

POLICE are investigating the reported theft of batteries from a radio repeater at Byfield which meant a key frequency channel was unavailable on the weekend.

As Cyclone Ului bore down on the Central Queensland coast, Channel 21 was out of action on the airwaves.

It caused problems for the Coast Guard at Yeppoon.

“We had a problem with Channel 21, which is one of the main weather channels that’s used,” a Coast Guard spokesman said.

He said the theft of the batteries was discovered yesterday morning after a check of the area at Byfield to see what the problem was.

“It’s a nuisance, especially with the cyclone being about and everyone relying on the information.”

Police confirmed authorities were looking into the matter and officers were at Byfield to investigate.