New E.P.I.R.B. saves 2 lives

Not sure it is actually the first in SA for a 406, but it was a good example of its benefits. It was the first for the boat crew though..

The stationary satellite picked it up straight way and sent down the details. It wasnt one that had a GPS so its position can not be determined using the stationary satellite.

It was registered though so we spoke with the point of contact (one of their wives). She said they were out abalone fishing about 20 miles off Ceduna.

There was only about 20 minutes before sunset so a local aircraft was tasked to investigate, and we asked SA Police to task a volunteer rescue boat.

Shortly after an orbiting satellite passed over and reported its two positions, the first about 20 miles off Ceduna and the second about 180 miles away. As the aircraft flew out a second satellite pass confirmed their position as the closer one, the aircraft then picked up the 121.5 transmission and found a life-raft. The boat worked with the plane and picked them up pretty much where the satellite said they were. All up they were in the water just under 2 and a half hours.

Volunteer boat did a great job and managed to get a tow on the upturned boat, and did a slow steam back home.

So it is a good advert for the beacon, particularly that we could contact the wife so quickly.

On a negative note, we then spent 6 hours chasing an old style beacon that was eventually found within the rubbish at the tip. With a short period we knew it was at the tip, but it took a few ore hours to get people out to hunt through the rubish. So if you have an old one and you are going to throw it away - please drop in into a Batteryworld rather then your bin.

On a 4WD side, yesterday we also responded to a new beacon up the Cape, owner was found bogged on a beach. Again as it was registered the response was heaps easier.

Pete