Search for stolen beacon

This afternoon the Tauranga based Trustpower TECT rescue helicopter was called over to Matakana Is where a personel locator beacon had been activated.

The Rescue Coordination center in Wellington had picked up the signal, they then called the registered owner who reported the beacon stolen. A radio technician was flown across to the island to locate the beacon with hand held tracking equipment, it appears the beacon had been washed a shore in the storm and was still transmitting albeit weakly.

Locating the beacon quickly is important as the emergency signal could mask a ligitimate emergency activation.