Hi

Interesting press release from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority -
<http://www.amsa.gov.au/amsa/media/Jul3.htm>


Regards
Andrew Priest


Almost 3600 lives saved due to distress beacons

About 255 people are saved each year due to distress beacons, new figures
from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority show.

Since October 1989, 3574 people have been saved from emergency situations
on land and at sea by activating their distress beacon. Distress Beacons
are also called EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons).

From January to June this year, 239 people have been rescued after
activating a distress beacon ­ the highest six monthly figure record by
AMSA since 1989.

"It shows that distress beacons are becoming a vital component of the
safety landscape and they are clearly proving their worth in emergencies,’’
AMSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Clive Davidson said.

Distress beacons transmit a radio signal that is detected by satellite and
overflying aircraft. All detections are relayed to Australian Search and
Rescue (AusSAR) in Canberra which is part of AMSA.

In a recent rescue involving a distress beacon, seven people were saved
from a sinking boat off the NSW far south coast.

The recreational fishing boat Sea Hunter set off a beacon after being
swamped by a large wave while fishing about 50 nautical miles (92.6 kms)
east of Merimbula.

Australian Search and Rescue tasked Canberra's SouthCare helicopter and an
Australian Aerial Patrol fixed-wing aircraft from Wollongong to respond.

The fishing vessel, Melissa, which had also responded to a call for
assistance from AusSAR, arrived at the sinking boat’s position just after
the aircraft. The Melissa picked up the seven people as they were preparing
to abandon ship.

There are major changes looming in the distress beacon system. Currently
there are two types of distress beacons, one transmitting on the analogue
121.5 MHZ frequency and the other on the digital 406 MHz frequency.

From 2009 only 406 MHz beacons will be detected. The decision to eliminate
121.5 MHz has been made by the international council that controls the
rescue satellite system in a bid to reduce the 97 per cent false alarm rate
from analogue beacons.
--
Aushiker: Hiking in Western Australia - http://aushiker.com
President - Perth Bushwalkers Club Inc - http://www.perthbushwalkers.asn.au
Official Gear Tester - http://www.backpackgeartest.org


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