Abandoned distress beacon triggers search

An old distress beacon dumped in a Bay of Plenty rubbish tip wasted time and resources, police say.

Tauranga Search and Rescue were called out today after aircraft flying into Tauranga and Rotorua (New Zealand) reported receiving a signal from an emergency beacon within the greater Tauranga area.

It was assumed the beacon was an old 121 MHz model, which was no longer monitored, as the signal was not being picked up by satellite.

The Tauranga Coastguard spent more than two hours sweeping the harbour up to Katikati trying to locate the source without success.

The Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) brought in specialist radio signal tracking equipment from Hamilton, which narrowed the signal down to the Te Maunga Refuse Centre in Mount Maunganui.

While an operator was there, the signal stopped and it is presumed the beacon was disabled as garbage was being crushed at the time.

Western Bay of Plenty Sergeant Craig Madden said disposing of an emergency beacon without deactivating it was careless and irresponsible.

Anyone possessing the older 121 or 243 MHz beacon should hand them in to their local police station or the local coastguard.

Mr Madden said the 406 MHz beacons were the only ones monitored by RCCNZ since February 1 2009.
"The new 406 has considerably greater advantages, with its signal being picked up by satellite within minutes."

The NZ Sun
http://www.sunlive.co.nz/14924a1.page