McMurdo wins $7.5 Million Contract with US Coast Guard

Published Oct 19, 2006 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

UK emergency location beacon manufacturer McMurdo has been awarded a significant order from the US Coastguard worth up to $7,500,000 over 5 years to supply FASTFIND PLUS Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs).

The FASTFIND PLUS, with built-in GPS, is an upgrade of the standard FASTFIND, a similar quantity of which was supplied to the US Coastguard over the past 3 years.
This new contract is to equip US Coastguard personnel with the latest technology lifesaving beacon. It houses a 406MHz transmitter and 121.5MHz homing signal to alert search and rescue services to their location in the event of an incident.

Robert Hill of McMurdo comments “We are delighted with this contract which represents a continuing seal of approval from one of the world’s foremost marine organisations. The McMurdo PLB was selected amidst tough competition, and confirms our strong position as the emergency location beacon company."

The PLB is a handheld beacon which is registered to the individual user. When activated, the Fastfind Plus provides a 406MHz alert signal via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system to Search and Rescue authorities. There is a visual indication of GPS acquisition. Fastfind Plus also transmits on the International Aircraft Emergency Frequency of 121.5MHz providing a homing signal for the Search and Rescue (SAR) services.