A GME MT600G Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was used in the rescue of a person after their vessel upturned in rough conditions near the mouth of the McDonald River on the 26th of January, 2021.
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Australia reported the detection of an emergency beacon in the vicinity of the mouth of the McDonald River, 57NM south west of Cape York, QLD. As the beacon was registered with AMSA, the JRCC was able to see that the beacon was registered to a recreational vessel and after an enquiry to the beacon contacts it was confirmed that the vessel was on a voyage in that area with a solo occupant on board.
Due to weather concerns JRCC Australia tasked a rescue helicopter and rescue jet in addition to requesting a response vessel from the Thursday Island Water Police.
The rescue helicopter was first to arrive on scene and upon arrival the crew located an upturned vessel and shortly after sighted the occupant stranded on a nearby beach. The uninjured person was recovered by the rescue helicopter and flown to the nearby town of Bamaga.
This serves to remind us how important it is to carry PLBs and EPIRBs and ensure that their registration details are up to date before heading out on the water.
For more information on our range of emergency beacons click here.