TTC PL Bs

Loan TTC Personal Locator Beacons

The TTC actively encourages its members to carry Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) with them on all trips including long tramps, club courses, climbing, and other club trips that take people through remote regions. It recognises the importance of these devices for expediting rescues and the comfort that they give to loved ones back at home. TTC has acquired three Personal Locator Beacons which are freely available for use by its members. All that is required is a $50 deposit upon hiring, refundable when returned. Only club members can loan these PLBs.

Our units are Fastfind 220 PLB 406MHz beacons with GPS.

To book one for your trip contact the gear custodian: Stuart Hutson -> mailto:ttc-gear-custodian [snail] ttc [period] org [period] nz?Subject=Query%20from%20TTC%20website on 027 686 5636 and fill out the PLB booking form

It is essential that your emergency contact person has a copy of your trip plan, and knowledge of any medical concerns of party members.

If all the club PLBs are in use you can rent PLBs from different groups.

Condition of use

Generally, the user is responsible for ensuring that the unit is in good working condition when they collect it. Conducting a test is recommended. The user is responsible for ensuring that the beacon is returned in good working order. Fair wear and tear is acceptable. Some simple examples around liability

• You lose the beacon – you pay to replace it
• You damage the beacon – you pay to repair it
• You activate the beacon – you pay to reset it, and pay for the replacement battery (approx $185 + gst)
• You lose the beacon's case – you pay to replace it
• There is minor abrasion on the case or beacon – this is fair wear and tear, and is therefore the club's responsibility
• You activate the beacon, either intentionally or accidentally - you take full responsibility for consequences
• You activate the beacon, either intentionally or accidentally - you will have to pay for the replacement battery (approx $185 + gst)

It is the responsibility of the user to return the beacon immediately after use to the person administering the beacons. The user is responsible for any additional costs associated with the use, like courier charges, or costs associated with recovery of the beacon.

If you activate the beacon

If you activate the beacon (accidentally OR intentionally but then decide you don't need assistance), please DO NOT DEACTIVATE the beacon.

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ told us it is better for them to locate a signalling beacon even if it turns out to be a false alarm. If signal from an active beacon disappears, RCC NZ is uncertain about the situation of the party involved and still has to launch a search and rescue effort.

Note that the club's FastFind PLBs do not start beaconing until 50 seconds^* after activation. This gives a short window during which you can de-activate the beacon.

If you have activated the PLB and you are in cellphone coverage, please contact Search and Rescue, and provide details.

^* See How to activate your fast find

PLB IDs

• PLB01 = 400E6CCD34FFBFF Check Sum = 39F0A
• PLB02 = 400E6CD7ACFFBFF Check Sum = ECECE
• PLB03 = 400E6CCD5EFFBFF Check Sum = 977BD

See also

• Distress radio beacons

Category

Trip information