GME EPIRB Distress Beacons have once again saved the lives of mariners. The twin-hulled vessel, Deep Blue, was returning on the 18th January 2012 with a party of 9 males from a dive trip on the scuttled former frigate HMAS Adelaide off the NSW Central Coast. When it approached the northern entrance to Pittwater’s Broken Bay, the recently purchased 6.5 metre charter vessel capsized when hit from behind by a rogue wave. All 9 occupants were instantly thrown into the water. Sensing the gravity of the situation, one of the men dived under the upturned Hull to recover and activate the Australian made GME MT400 EPIRB.

The EPIRB emergency signal was relayed to the Australian RCC; where the duty officer determined the identity of signal and immediately instigated a search and rescue mission.

Guided by the EPIRB’s homing signal a NSW rescue helicopter and Stebercraft, water police launch 24, were tasked to proceed to the location of the distressed Deep Blue, her crew and passengers. Simultaneously an overflying aircraft detected the MT400’s signal and upon investigation sighted an overturned vessel with a number of people wearing wetsuits clinging to its Hull. .

The police vessel recovered the survivors and transferred them to the Pittwater water police base where they were examined by paramedics and allowed home.

GME EPIRB''s and PLB''s have had a very busy Summer and proven themselves to be an essential part of everyones Boat Safety Equipment kit

Source: GME EPIRB''s: Two Rescues in One Day