Loss of ABC Shortwave put fishermen at risk

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The wisdom of the ABC dropping their HF service aside, given what he said about radio conditions affecting the BoM HF marine services, he wasn't likely to hear Radio Australia anyway.

That may be the case, but keep in mind the HF broadcasters, run a lot more power and far, far bigger arrays than marine HF stations, than even government  sites.
That "may" have made the difference.