Dummy MT310 personal Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

Maker GME Electrophone

Datec 2000

Object number00033049

NameRadio beacon

MediumPlastic, metal, ink on sticker

DimensionsOverall: 155 x 66 x 25 mm, 0.08 kg

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Standard Communications Pty Ltd

Terms

DescriptionThis dummy MT310 personal Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) represents the type of EPIRB used by some crew during the 1998 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race. Its signal only brings a search and rescue aircraft or vessel to within a radius of 20km. Rescuers then need to search for the distressed vessel or life raft. The 1998 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race was characterised by the use of yacht beacons rather than individual personal beacons but highlights the need for the use of both technologies.HistoryThe Sydney- Hobart Yacht Race has become a classic annual sailing event in the Australian and the international sporting calendar. The course covers a distance of 1170 kilometers starting in Sydney Harbour and finishing on the Derwent River at Hobart, Tasmania. The inaugural race was held in 1945 with RANI being the first yacht to take out the competition in the time of six days, 14 hours and 22 minutes. On 27 December 1998 a raging storm struck the Sydney to Hobart fleet, with 80 knot winds and mountainous seas. An emergency air/sea operation rescued 55 sailors, and 71 of 115 yachts failed to finish. 5 sank and 6 men died. A coronial inquest held in 2000 recommended a complete upgrading of safety and rescue equipment, emergency procedures and weather warnings, and set a new minimum age of 18 years for race entry. The tragedy still reverberates in sailing circles.SignificanceAn EPIRB such as this one is vital in situations of emergencies to aid rescuers if sailors are lost overboard. The 2000 Coroner's inquiry into the 1998 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race recommended that crews of competing yachts should each wear a personal EPIRB at all times when on deck.