A GME MT600G Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was used in the rescue of a solo sailor after they ran aground on rocks in the vicinity of Avoid Bay, SA on the 3rd of July, 2021.
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Australia reported the detection of an emergency beacon in the vicinity of Avoid Bay, SA and tasked the Melbourne Challenger rescue plane to locate the vessel. The vessel was located hard aground and unrecoverable with rugged coastline and swell conditions preventing the skipper from safely abandoning the vessel.
JRCC Australia then tasked the Rescue Helicopter from Adelaide to assist and recover the sailor. After a required refuelling at Port Lincoln the helicopter arrived on-scene at 1100AEST and successfully rescued the sailor and his dog. The sailor was then recovered to Port Lincoln where he was transferred to the ambulance service for a medical check whilst local police later assisted with the repatriation.
This serves to remind us how easy it is for accidents to happen and how important it is to carry EPIRBs and ensure that their registration details are up to date before heading out.
For more information on our range of emergency beacons click here.