PLB (personal locator beacon) prevented a potential disaster
What should have been a two-day, safe and well-planned adventure quickly turned into a potential disaster which was averted thanks to the hired PLB, Maritime NZ Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ), the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and the local fishing vessel who responded to the mayday.
On Wednesday February 2, 2022 Paul and Andy launched their 11.5-foot inflatable dinghy at Birdlings Flat to make a close-toshore trip around Banks Peninsula, with an overnight stop at Hickory Bay, before continuing to their final destination at Charteris Bay. They were wearing full wetsuits, lifejackets, had a short-range VHF radio, two cell phones, had tied their
