Call to end beacon false alarms

Sydney's Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) are urging boaters, both yachties and power boaters, to dispose of their old rescue beacons responsibly and not just throw them in a bin or activate them to run down the battery.

The call follows an extensive search last week on Sydney's northern beaches when the RCC asked the Westpac helicopter to locate an emergency beacon (EPIRB) that had been picked up by an international jet flying into Sydney airport.

The beacon was eventually found at the Terrey Hills Waste Disposal Centre when the helicopter crew landed at the rubbish tip and sorted through the piles of rubbish by hand before locating the activated rescue beacon.

During the search two other rescue beacons were found, one which was still transmitting a distress signal.

"It is vitally important that distress beacons are disposed of properly," Westpac Life Saver general manager Stephen Leahy told the Boatsales Network. "People and organisations can dispose of their unwanted beacons at no cost by placing them in collection bins at any of the Battery World stores around Australia."

Leahy says the search of the Terrey Hills tip had cost more than $5000, a sum ultimately paid by taxpayers.

"It is becoming a regular occurrence for our helicopters to be tasked by the authorities to search for distress beacons that have been thrown away carelessly."

Marine safety authorities are concerned that resources are potentially being diverted away from real search and rescue operations when distress beacons are inadvertently activated.

"Last week the Westpac helicopter was sent to search for a distress signal which started in southern NSW," Leahy says, "We were able to track it through the southern part of the state before we lost the signal. It was eventually found on the back of a semi-trailer that had arrived in Brisbane."

More information about distress beacons is available from the Australian Marine Safety Authority website or by calling 1800 406 406.