Thread: For Those Who Have Used Your PLB

With a 406 beacon (PLB,EPIRB,ELT) costs come out of RCCs budget and ACC if there is an injury.

Satellite communicators like inReach and spotX, you’re at the mercy of who they contact to raise your distress alert. My understanding is inReach goes to RCC, where it goes sideways normally is when family or friends get involved on your behalf and end up in the 111 system.

With an inReach and cell phone, depending whether you end up in the 111 system, the helicopter operator can often carry the cost burden of the flight as the tasking agencies bicker as to who’s paying. This is particularly brutal on foreigners as they don’t share the same entitlements, it’s not unusual for them to skip the country without ultimately paying. Trusts ultimately pick up this sort of shortfall in most cases. Cellular satellite can also create the same risks as to whom pays, this is also compounded by residency.

Edit to add: there is no cost to a foreigner using their 406 beacon in New Zealand and vice versa, a Kiwi using their beacon overseas.