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Rescues
James Baker’s rescue – the importance of an EPIRB - January 2008
James Baker was a young man, sailing on a shoe string with no engine. Yet he was an extremely experienced sailor and he and his family had no doubt about his capabilities. James was reluctant to carry an EPIRB or PLB on board: he could not imagine having to put so many people to such trouble if they had to come and rescue him. However, the last thing his father gave him as he left on his trip was the McMurdo FastFind PLB which he thrust into his hand on the dockside.
McMurdo PLB aids rescue of lone British sailor - January 2008
A yachtsman was rescued on 4th January after activating his McMurdo FastFind Plus GPS Personal Location Beacon off the coast of Africa when his yacht got into difficulties in severe storms. The 1929 gaff rig cutter Mina was extensively damaged by waves leaving the yacht stranded.
Kayakers rescued in Australia - December 2007
Two kayakers were rescued in the Bass Strait in December 2007, when they activated their McMurdo PLBs.
Robinson Crusoe rescue for shipwrecked sailor
Philippe Comte, a Belgian national, used his McMurdo Precision Category II EPIRB to get himself rescued, when all other options failed.
After his boat was wrecked, he was lucky to get ashore, but once landed, there were no signs of life on the deserted island.
Irish fishing crew rescued from trawler fire courtesy of McMurdo Fastfind PLB - August 2007
A McMurdo FastFind PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) was involved in the swift rescue of four fishermen whose boat was gutted by fire.
The Gismonde, based in Co. Waterford, Ireland, caught fire on the morning of Friday 24th August when fishing in the Irish Sea
Ross Hobson - November 2006
Ross Hobson was rescued mid-Ocean following the activation of his two McMurdo EPIRB distress beacons after his Class 3 trimaran Ideal Stelrad capsized in 50 knots of wind, during the Route du Rhum ocean race.
Yacht ‘Kratos’ March 2007
The owner and three crew of a Swan 44 Kratos were rescued by an Italian coastguard vessel following the activation of a McMurdo FastFind PLB (personal locator beacon) which crew member Matt Sillars said he “always carries in his pocket”.
Richard Woods - 2006
Yacht designer Richard Woods and his 32ft catamaran Eclipse were caught in a 'Perfect Storm' in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, southern Mexico. With 70-knot winds and 20ft seas, his small boat was soon in serious trouble - especially once the parachute anchor burst, giving Woods no choice but to run before the massive waves.
Dom Mee’s double EPIRB rescue - 2006
Dom was rescued from his kite-powered purpose-built craft Little Murka in mid-Atlantic after he had activated his McMurdo EPIRB. Enduring hurricane force winds and mountainous seas Little Murka had repeatedly rolled and broken free from her sea anchor before finally capsizing and filling with water.
Testimonials Jump to top of page
Our customers are confident with McMurdo.
It was undoubtedly the FastFind PLB which ultimately brought the rescuers to us
Matt Sillars, Skipper, Yacht Kratos which caught fire - March 2007
“As I abandoned ship I knew that the only way out was to keep hold of my EPIRB. At that moment it was the most important thing in my life. I recommend using the 406 precision GPS to save vital time and lives”
Dom Mee, during his dramatic North Atlantic Rescue 2006
“Safety equipment on board is something we rely on in a time of crisis, the rest of the time it needs to be readily available but unobtrusive. The new McMurdo Smartfind EPIRB is practical and compact and most importantly I have confidence that it would alert the rescue authorities in a life-threatening situation.“
Record Breaking Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur - September 2006
“We are very grateful to McMurdo for their help in supplying this equipment which will give the whole crew peace of mind as they tackle this adventure of a lifetime. We hope we don’t need to use any of it but we would have been foolhardy to set off without adequate safety protection.”
Tessa Cunniffe, Long way Round TV adventure documentary series
“It’s all too easy to get out of reach. There are many dead spots for hand-held VHF radios and mobile phones. Twenty minutes paddling from a busy village and we can be in a seriously remote area where no-one would see our rocket flares. Which is why many kayakers have begun to consider personal locator beacons.”
Simon Willis, Kayaking Magazine
“Our team, when out at sea, carry McMurdo as a safety precaution. My view is that when it comes to safety only the best will do.”
Brendon Wallace of Clyde Sea Recovery in Scotland
“I believe that everyone must carry a PLB in aviation. It could save lives”.
Jez Hopkinson, Team Leader, Yakovlevs Flying Display Team.
“Although we kept in regular contact with the Canadian coastguard, we were very grateful for the reassurance that our McMurdo PLBs gave us. We are so thankful that we didn’t have to use them!”
Glen Morris, Arctic Voice North West Passage Kayaking Expedition August 2007
“Many sailors are now realising they have to make a higher investment in safety equipment. While the price of the McMurdo Fastfind is small, the majority of yachtsmen still avoid spending money on all but the most basic equipment, and I am campaigning now to change this habit.”
Sarah Norbury, Editor, Practical Boat Owner Magazine, July 2007
Practical Boat Owner, Britains’ biggest selling yachting magazine, has voted the McMurdo FastFind Plus PLB (Personal Location Beacon) Best On Test in the July 2007 issue. Five PLB models from other manufacturers were tested alongside McMurdo and the FastFind was recognised as being the “best compromise of size, weight, robustness and price” of all of the products tried out.
Practical Boat Owner Magazine, July 2007