A GME MT600G Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was used in the rescue of 3 men after their 26-foot boat sank during a fishing trip off the coast of Eclipse Island near Albany, WA on the 1st of February, 2023.
Around 10:15am the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Australia reported the detection of an emergency beacon in the vicinity of Eclipse Island, WA and tasked Albany Sea Rescue to attend as well as AMSA’s Perth-based Challenger rescue aircraft, which spotted the three men wearing lifejackets and clinging to an esky in choppy seas.
Shortly after confirmation by the Challenger aircraft, The Albany Sea Rescue team rescued all three men, with no serious injuries, and returned them to shore at approximately 12pm with one man in his 40s taken to Albany hospital as a precaution.
Overall, from the time of activation of the EPIRB to the rescue by Albany Sea Rescue was around one hour and ten minutes, which serves to remind us how important it is to carry an EPIRB and ensure that your registration details are up to date before heading out on the water, as accidents can happen at any time.
For more information on our range of emergency beacons click here.