Thread: PLB EPIRB Distress Beacon - A few highly recommended MUST Do’s. To Be Repeated Again

Originally Posted by gadgetman

That is wrong as the KTI units he sells here are NZ coded units. In any case the delay is just the delay of a phone call. This is after all a global system.

Thank you @gadgetman ... With the new satellite system coming into play next year, the delay will be dramatically reduced. Currently, regardless of what country beacon is activated, those in the southern part of of the South island have a longer satellite detection for the GPS coordinates because of the satellite path further north.

This is the future.... New satellite system saves the day (light) for injured tramper New satellite system saves the day (light) for injured tramper - Maritime NZ

I bought two PLBs off you year before last. Great gift to give someone.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Refreshing reading.
I have two kids overseas. One is about a gazillion miles from civilization in the Yukon. We occasionally get a email via some satellite system which enables us to see on google exactly where she is.
The other one is planning a trip through south east Asia. I'm gathering from the info on here that a NZ PLB will be suitable for her ventures also?
How about air travel with a PLB. Are there rules about carrying them on a plane ie checked baggage or carry on?

I love your tone of confidence in Air transport...I'm flying so better take a PLB......

Or is it you are more concerned they will get pinched from the luggage?

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Lithium ion and lithium polymer batteries mate, some carriers don't want any Li-poly or lithium anything in the passenger compartment as carryon unless it's in the form of a cellphone. Some are a bit suss on laptops...

That's the funny thing. When I flew AirNZ domestically between Auckland and Nelson earlier this year battery packs had to be taken as carry on and my checked on bag got pulled up for "a battery bank". Told the Avsec guy it was my PLB and they were fine with it being checked in.

The American airlines have a power rating maximum they allow so I guess it's a check with the airline before you go kind of deal?

@CooeeBay

Would you mind posting a printable image of the NZ beacon registration form on this thread?

Originally Posted by Nibblet

That's the funny thing. When I flew AirNZ domestically between Auckland and Nelson earlier this year battery packs had to be taken as carry on and my checked on bag got pulled up for "a battery bank". Told the Avsec guy it was my PLB and they were fine with it being checked in.

The American airlines have a power rating maximum they allow so I guess it's a check with the airline before you go kind of deal?

Yes. I am lead to believe it is because they need to be able to fight a lithium battery fire should it occur, and of course there is no access to the cargo holds on aircraft.

I always carry a PLB when fishing, diving and hunting. It is simpler to buy and register a PLB in NZ, but if you have a foreign coded PLB (as I do), don't worry, it will still work. I had some concerns about this, somewhat fuelled by what NZ retailers had to say, so I emailed the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand. This was their reply:

Yes we will respond in a timely manner.

If your PLB is activated within the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region (NZSRR) we automatically get a copy of that alert and will act on it without delay.

The country of registration will also get a copy of the alert.

We would contact them initially and seek information for people you have registered as distress contacts.

We treat every distress notification as real until we find out otherwise.

Quick access to information allows us to plan our response better.

You could perhaps add a note to your UK registration that you use your PLB in New Zealand and contact should be made direct with RCCNZ.

Make sure your NZ contacts (including your own)numbers are included in the registration – we will try calling direct in case there has been an accidental activation or you happen to be in mobile phone range.

Originally Posted by C404

Yes. I am lead to believe it is because they need to be able to fight a lithium battery fire should it occur, and of course there is no access to the cargo holds on aircraft.

Cargo holds on jets, the like of a320 737 up etc have superb cargo fire suppression and monitoring and the bug smashers like q300 and atr72 have access to the cargo compartment.

Guess there's less secondary things to burn possibly.
I've always been under the impression though that the fires of these batteries occur whilst charging (other than being sorry circuited).

Originally Posted by Cordite

@CooeeBay

Would you mind posting a printable image of the NZ beacon registration form on this thread?

printable registration form link below.

https://beacons.org.nz/Registration.aspx

Just bought one Kti. Arrived in 5 days. All registered, very easy process no hassle. Highly recommend.
.

Originally Posted by Plodalong

Just bought one Kti. Arrived in 5 days. All registered, very easy process no hassle. Highly recommend.
.

I second that, just purchased a kti. Easy to register and nice and small and easy to stick in your pack.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

so i shouldn't be concerned about this @CooeeBay

Originally Posted by muka88

so i shouldn't be concerned about this @CooeeBay

Attachment 120410

As an NZ resident, you can register it with AMSA in Canberra. Open the box and all the details are in it. Assume it is new and has a good battery expiry date.

Hey
Just wondering what plb would be best suited to NZ bush

Trying to update PLB audit email that got sent to me today.The email address keeps getting returned. email 406audit@maritimenz.govt.nz; anyone else having problems?