First malicious activation of a 406MHz EPIRB - and it wasn't registered!

12 April 2007

The first malicious activation of a 406 MHz EPIRB in Australia was detected by the Cospas-Sarsat distress beacon satellite system. The EPIRB was located on a beach near the East Perth Yacht Club on 11 April 2007. The owner cannot be contacted because they had failed to register the beacon with AMSA. Yet another reason to register your beacon.

The other lesson from this incident is that owners should ensure their safety equipment including their EPIRBs or PLBs, Flares and other valuable equipment are securely stowed. This particular incident was an unnecessary burden on an otherwise busy group of people. The incident involved a helicopter to track the EPIRB signal and an ACMA officer to finally localise the EPIRB.

Registration is free and provides AMSA with valuable information about you, as the owner and your boat, aircraft or vehicle depending how you use your distress beacon. To find out more check out the rest of the beacons Website or call the friendly staff at AMSA on 1800 406 406.

See what you can do to reduce the number of hoax activations [more].