Hunter and Mid North Coast Crews Respond to EPIRB Alert, Beacon Traced to Caravan Park

newy.com.au – A coordinated response from Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the Hunter and Mid North Coasts has resolved a distress beacon activation, highlighting the critical importance of registering EPIRBs.

Rescue crews from Norah Head and Forster Tuncurry were mobilised after the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Canberra detected a beacon signal on the evening of 18 July. Marine Rescue Norah Head deployed its vessel around 8pm, scouring waters up to five nautical miles offshore before being stood down due to worsening sea conditions, including a 2.5 metre swell and strong winds.

“Marine Rescue Norah Head was tasked to search for the EPIRB. A volunteer crew was quickly assembled, and rescue vessel Norah Head 20 was deployed,” said Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray.

The search resumed the following morning after the JRCC received a new signal, this time pointing to Forster. Volunteers from Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry responded, using a radio direction finder to track the beacon without launching a vessel. The signal led them to a caravan park, where the EPIRB was found in a toolbox inside a small runabout.

“It was deactivated, and it was confirmed that no persons were missing,” Inspector Murray said.

He stressed the avoidable nature of the incident, urging boaters to register their EPIRBs with AMSA.

“It is vitally important that all EPIRBs are registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Registering an EPIRB allows authorities to quickly identify the owner and their vessel in an emergency, significantly reducing response times,” Inspector Murray said.

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation committed to maritime safety and community support.