Australian search and rescue teams are dropping emergency survival packs that contain
an IsatPhone Pro handset to vessels in danger.
The Canberra-based Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) did exhaustive tests
of IsatPhone Pro and other handsets before buying 11 from local supplier Safecity
Services.
"The phones are loaded with 100 minutes of pre-paid talk time," explained Gary Stevens,
AMSA search and rescue training and resources officer.
Stranded yachts
"Each of our tier one AeroRescue Dornier aircraft, based in Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin, have been issued with two handsets. They include them in emergency packs when asked to by the rescue co-ordination centre."
"Each of our tier one AeroRescue Dornier aircraft, based in Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin, have been issued with two handsets. They include them in emergency packs when asked to by the rescue co-ordination centre."
AMSA has so far supplied seven of the handsets in emergency packs for incidents involving
stranded yachts - and also for motorists in the Australian outback who may have broken
down.
"The IsatPhone Pro is programmed with several RCC numbers and is the preferred means
of communicating with us if there is an extended rescue time expected," said Gary.
Permanent solution
Simple instructions are supplied with the phone, including how to deploy the antenna and receive incoming calls. They also show how to display the user's GPS position.
Simple instructions are supplied with the phone, including how to deploy the antenna and receive incoming calls. They also show how to display the user's GPS position.
The handset is dropped inside a capsule, along with standard radio kit, food, water
and first aid supplies.
"The phone is not locked, so survivors may call friends and family as well as the
RCC. Due to the availability of our radios in the pack, only one of the phones has
so far been used, but it worked and we feel this will become a permanent addition
to our survival kits," explained Gary.