A GME EPIRB was instrumental in the rescue of two fishermen off Carnac Island in Western Australia on the 26th of April, 2020.
The two fishermen activated their MT406G at approximately 6.40am after their vessel was hit by a large wave, ‘split in two’ and sunk.
The 406MHz signal was detected by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Canberra. Although the beacon was registered with AMSA, it was found to have transferred ownership a number of times and the details were not up to date, which may have hampered rescue efforts, but thankfully did not in this case.
The JRCC then contacted the Fremantle Water Police to engage in a rescue mission, where they provided surface assets in conjunction with an RAC rescue helicopter to home the beacon. The rescue helicopter soon sighted two people in the water clinging to debris and directed the Police Vessel to the scene and recovered the two survivors.
The two people were then taken to Fremantle Jetty and transferred to Hospital by ambulance for treatment of mild hypothermia and chemical burns to their hands.
This serves as a reminder of how important it is to carry PLBs and EPIRBs and ensure that their registration details are up to date before heading out on open waters.
For more information on our range of emergency beacons go to the Emergency Beacons & Safety section.