Dear colleagues, a new revision of document C/S S.007, “Handbook of Beacon Regulations”, dated January 2017, was published on our website with amendments from JC-30, Algeria, Finland, Hong Kong (China), Malaysia, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, UAE and Viet Nam.
Author: kevin
-
2017-01-31 History and Experience of the Cospas-Sarsat Programme Published
Join us in learning about the grassroots efforts that started the Programme, how it grew through the Cold War years, and developed into a global search and rescue adventure using space communication that it is now poised to evolve again into the MEOSAR phase.
This important work was commissioned by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) to capture a snapshot of the Programme from the earliest space policies of the 1960s and 1970s through to the next stage of technology when planning of MEOSAR started in 2009.
The document may be accessed at the IAF site by clicking on this link:
-
2017-01-20 Two Swedish tourists located by MEOSAR system in NZ
Heavy wind chill and wet clothing caused hypothermia for the woman who likely would not have survived in the open.
She was swept away to an island in the flooded Hawdon river flat 300 metres from her partner who was swept to shore.
The MEOSAR system is “still in testing, but it gave us an alert probably an hour earlier than the old system.”
The rescue helicopter was on scene within an hour in turbulent weather conditions.
Read more here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11785136 -
2017-01-11 30% of 62,000 NZ beacons still unregistered, cause distress
“It’s a bit like phoning 111 and hanging up. Well, which emergency service do you need, what might they be dealing with when they get there? It’s the same with an unregistered beacon.”
Valuable resources are being used searching for people who are not in distress because they have failed to register their details.
Read more here:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/322202/unregistered-rescue-beacons-cause-distress -
2017-01-12 New Zealand Hikers rescued from Mt Aspiring National Park
Three hikers were airlifted to safety when they found themselves in difficult terrain and set off a beacon for help.
A spokesman for RCCNZ said “If people end up in a situation that is beyond their experience and it’s dangerous then they are probably better off getting help than risking themselves and getting into trouble.”
Read more here:
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/wanaka/trampers-rescued-mt-aspiring-national-park
-
2017-01-12 Hundreds of 2016 rescue alerts in New Zealand
Hundreds of 2016 rescue alerts in New Zealand
In 2016, 450 rescues out of 850 rescue incidents were carried out in New Zealand’s search and rescue region using emergency beacons.
The number of beacons registered (registration is free) in the RCCNZ database increased by more than 11,000 to 62,241.
“It is not just boaties, but also more trampers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers and people working in isolated areas, who are realising a beacon may save their life.”
“The important point to remember is we need up-to-date contact details in our database, so we can track down as much information as possible.”
Read more here:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1701/S00176/rescue-beacon-alerts-top-450.htm -
List of Possible Website Improvements
DateSubmitted UserIp Username UserId Lang Website Improvement Suggestion Name Topic or page Priority Suggestion 2017-01-05 20:07 185.93.229.12 MPaknys 611 en-GB This is just a test entry. Use the http://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/meetings-pro/secretariat-only/website-improvement-suggestion link to add your ideas. Miriam Top Test 4 -
2016-12-20 Cospas-Sarsat System Data No. 42
– Dear colleague, a new issue of the “Cospas-Sarsat System Data No.42” in English, French and Russian is available on our website.
– Уважаемые коллеги! На нашем сайте размещен новый выпуск “Сведений о Системе Коспас-Сарсат №42” на русском, английском и французском языках.
-
2016-11-14 U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Respond to EPIRB off Maui, Hawaii
The Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu was notified of a 406 megahertz EPIRB signal at noon, Tuesday.
The beacon was properly registered and watchstanders working with the JRCC learned from the contacts that three boaters departed from Kahana, Maui, to the north side of Molokai in a 17-foot boat earlier in the day.
The JRCC supervisor highlighted that “we value the quick action and partnership we have with the Navy to enhance public safety and search and rescue response in the region.”
The Navy helicopter co-pilot whose crew responded added that “It was incredibly rewarding to see our training kick into action today. I am happy to have been in the right place at the right time and use our capabilities to make a difference.”
Read more here:
http://mauinow.com/2016/11/09/coast-guard-navy-respond-to-distress-beacon-off-maui/
-
2016-10-27 Advice for boaters from the U.S. “Saved by the Beacon” campaign
The National Safe Boating Council executive director writes about the key role that beacons can play in saving lives, and the boating education courses available to Lake Erie boaters in Ohio.
“Boaters may feel confident they are safe because they have a VHF radio or cell phone, . . . but what got us the help that saved our lives was the EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).”“It takes just a few minutes to purchase and register a 406 MHz beacon that might become a lifetime of survival.”
Read more here:
http://www.presspublications.com/18852-for-boaters-emergency-locator-beacons-can-save-lives