Boat User Fears On Distress Beacons
The Age
Monday September 29, 2008
SEARCH and rescue authorities fear thousands of Australian boat users will hit the water this summer carrying emergency beacons that will not work because overseas authorities are decommissioning the satellite receiver that picks up the distress signals.
For the past 26 years, skippers have gone to sea with the EPIRB (emergency position-indicating radio beacon) 121.5 safety beacon - so named because it transmits an emergency signal on a frequency of 121.5 MHz when activated.The device is estimated to have saved 20,000 lives across the globe since 1982.But it will be dumped on February 1 next year in the middle of the Australian boating season, to be replaced by a newer model operating on a different frequency.The Australian Maritime Safety Authority estimates that there are about 150,000 of the 121.5 MHz distress beacons across the country which will need to be switched over to the new 406 MHz beacons before February.Despite an extensive education campaign, it believes many boat owners, hikers and other adventurers will not get a new beacon in time.The NSW Water Police and representatives of the Royal Coastal Patrol say there are serious concerns for the coming season.The driving force behind the termination of the EPIRB 121.5 has been the US Coast Guard. It has argued that everyone should switch to the 406 frequency beacon because it more accurately transmits the location of those in distress, can relay information about the type of vessel and the passengers on board, and produces far fewer costly false alarms.But some in Australia's search and rescue organisations believe the decision is more about cost-cutting and most question the wisdom of making the switch in the middle of the southern summer."It wasn't our decision to turn the satellite receiver off then. It isn't ideal," Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Tracey Jiggins said.Hindering the switch to the newer beacon has been the high cost - up to $1000 for the top model - with retailers selling the old model until 12 months ago.Brian McDermott, who was saved by an EPIRB 121.5 when his yacht Excalibur sank off the NSW coast in 2005, says the switch could end in tragedy."What price would you put on your life? Go and buy the new EPIRB," he said.
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