Awsome 406 beacons

[gingercoastie]

Whilst at work today, we had an excellent demonstaration of the efectivness of 406 beacons.

At approximatly 1600 local today a owner of a large dive rib in the torbay area called falmouth coastguard to report that he had accidentaly set of his beacon.

At the same time we recieved a beacon alert for a rib registered to a ribnet member who shall remain nameless.

Within 2 minutes we had been able to tie the to calls together and confirm that no one was in any danger.

Just in time for tea and medals.

[David Hickman]

What was he doing out in Torbay today, OK not quite as bad as last night!!!! If it is who I think it is, I hope the moved his Rib from where it is moored on the pier.
I have never known it like that here in Torbay.

[Richard B]

Nice one, Alex.

We had an interesting and very informative conversation with a McMurdo rep at Southampton Boat Show (I've probably just demoted their MD!) who gave us the sales-talk version of what you've described. For offshore cruising, these devices look like a very astute purchase. But be aware that there are standard-406Mhz devices and GPS-enabled-406Mhz devices - the second type being much quicker to acquire position and report it, and more accurate than the non-GPS type.

[gingercoastie]

Originally Posted by Richard B

But be aware that there are standard-406Mhz devices and GPS-enabled-406Mhz devices - the second type being much quicker to acquire position and report it, and more accurate than the non-GPS type.

Spot on, the above beacon alert only came in as a detect only (with no position information), but as it was correctly registered we were still able to get in touch with owners and emergency contacts while we are waiting for further alerts with position information.

[Andy Cox]

The owner of said dive RIB is on holiday and out of the country at the moment. The reason the beacon went off was that the boat had been flooded by waves breaking over the sea wall. The boat took bit of a hammering but luckily not much damage. The auto bilge pumps did their job and eventually pumped all the water out, but not before the beacon had been set off. I beleive the boat has now been moved to a different part of the marina.
Anyway, just goes to show how effective this system is. Good one Alex.

Andy Cox

[TQBoater]

Originally Posted by Andy Cox

The reason the beacon went off was that the boat had been flooded by waves breaking over the sea wall. The boat took bit of a hammering but luckily not much damage. The auto bilge pumps did their job and eventually pumped all the water out, but not before the beacon had been set off.Andy Cox

Yes it's been a bit rough here.

Must have some good pumps to deal with this