New “PLB” outdoor safety initiative

The Wairarapa Rescue Trust recently purchased three personal locator beacons (PLB) to add to three already owned, to be hired by members of the public for a heavily subsidised rate. In other regions, PBL’s can be hired for up to $15 per day, however the Wairarapa Rescue Trust is making its PLB’s available to hire for only $5 per day or $30 per week.

Wairarapa Rescue Trust trustee Sam Milligan says the subsidised hire fee is to ensure cost is not a hindrance to one’s personal safety when venturing into the great outdoors.

“We purchased the personal locator beacons with the view to hire them out to the public at a subsidised rate to enable more people in our community to stay safe when they are walking, tramping, hunting or out fishing,” he says. “The Wairarapa offers such a diverse outdoor playground with easy access points into the Tararua Ranges, the hill country and along our rugged, and at times isolated, coastline. By encouraging people to take a simple device like a PLB out with them, ensures they can be found in the event of an emergency.”

A PLB is a small electronic device that, on activation in an emergency, alerts search and rescue services to one’s location on land or sea. It works by broadcasting a signal to a satellite, which in turn alerts the New Zealand Rescue Co-Ordination Centre that the person is in distress. Because the satellite offers true global coverage, it means the PLB can summon help wherever someone is, no matter how remote. 

“Once activated, these devices can locate someone to within 62m of their location so are vital in an emergency – they can save lives,” says Sam.

Those wanting to book a personal locater beacon can call 06-370 0155.

The beacon can be collected from the Masterton Trust Lands Trust building at 189 Queen Street in Masterton between 8:00am and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday (other times by arrangement).