Government agency upgrade to Fastfind plus EPIRB

A staff expansion necessitated the acquisition of new safety equipment, with the Pains Wessex FastFind EPIRB fulfilling the requirements for the upgrade.

“We saw the staff expansion as an opportunity to update to the new technology 406MHz beacons with GPS interface,” said Victorian Water Police sergeant George Dixon.

“Every one of our officers has now been issued a FastFind Plus to be stored in their authorised PFD-1 life vest.”

With a staff base of 60 members, the Williamstown branch has undergone a large upgrade of safety and marine electronic equipment. There are 18 vessels in the Water Police fleet, including PWCs, small RIBs, trailerboats and a 16m vessel for coastal patrols.

“Our officers undertake water patrols every day from 7am until midnight and conduct port security patrols 24 hours a day,” Sergeant Dixon said.

“We wanted to have the latest technology 406MHz EPIRB units with all our crew at all times.”

According to Pains Wessex marine business manager Dale Thompson, Australian exploration companies working in remote locations like the Gobi Desert, China and Borneo as well as the Australian deserts have also switched to Fastfind Plus.

“We are constantly dealing with companies and government agencies who are addressing their occupational health and safety responsibilities to ensure that staff are properly equipped in the field with appropriate safety equipment at all times,” Thompson said.