Top End distress alert finds boat (Darwin)
(Re-issued with correct date of mission)
A new-generation alert system led to the quick rescue of two Top End men when their small boat broke down at a remote fishing area near Darwin today.
Within an hour of being alerted to the alert a CareFlight rescue helicopter arrived overhead and guided another fishing boat to two the men to safety.
A satellite picked up the men’s beacon operating on the new 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon (EPIRB) system when the motor on their five-metre open tinnie failed off Dum In Mirrie island, about 50 km south-west of Darwin.
At 11.30 am the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) national co-ordination centre in Canberra called CareFlight which has a rescue-medical helicopter based in Darwin to support the NT Government.
Air crewman Ben Inglis said the two men were waiving a towel and an esky lid when CareFlight arrived overhead at 12.30 pm.
“We came in low and despite them not having a radio on board we used hand signals to tell the men their location was known and that help was on the way,” Mr Inglis said.
“We then located another fishing boat about 2 km away and again used hand signals to get the larger boat to follow us to reach the stranded men and take them in tow.
“We used our marine radio to call the Control Tower Officer at East Arm Wharf in Darwin to arrange for further assistance.”
“In all, it took just half an hour after our take off Darwin airport to find the boat, arrange immediate assistance and to confirm their location to authorities.”
Because the men were using one of the new 406 MHz beacons, it was quickly detected by both satellite and passing commercial aircraft.
The boat was found close to where a CareFlight crew last month found four men waving a distress flag on a boat whose engine had failed during a fishing outing.
CareFlight said the successful helicopter searches were a timely alert for recreational boating people to replace their old 121.5 MHz beacons with the more reliable 406 MHz current version of EPIRBS which can have contact details registered in case of an alert.
Since the 121.5 system was decommissioned last month, satellites no longer monitor the frequency to alert AMSA, so alerts may prove more difficult for the national search and rescue centre to detect.
Old EPIRBS should have their battery removed then safely disposed before being replaced with the new, far more reliable, 406 Beacons which should have full registration details completed to reduce contact time.
ENDS: For further information please call NRMA CareFlight director Ian Badham on 0418 245 748.
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