dATE 23 JUNE 2008
TIME 11.00am
Man Saved by Beacon
A man was winched to safety by the Auckland Westpac rescue helicopter this morning after activating a 406MHz Emergency
Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
Search and Rescue Mission Co-ordinator Mike Roberts said RCCNZ staff received the call just after 0600NZDT and tasked
the Westpac helicopter and local Coastguard.
“It was still dark, but we were able to pinpoint the beacon to a bay on the north-east of Great Barrier Island. The lone
sailor was winched to safety as his boat was being set onto the rocks. He’s now safe at Police Rescue headquarters in
Auckland.
“We were able to provide a quick response. The boat is high and dry, and has sustained significant damage. This was a
good result, and shows once again the importance of carrying a 406MHz distress beacon, which gave us immediate
identification of the casualty vessel,”Mr Roberts said.
The 6.5-metre American registered yacht Resolution was on its way to Honolulu.
ENDS