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20
Jul
2011
RFD Australia Wins Royal Australian Navy Contract for Personal Locator Beacons

In a tender believed to represent one of the biggest single orders of Personal Locator Beacons, RFD Australia has been awarded the contract to supply the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with 406MHz, GPS enabled, Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs).

The unit being supplied to the RAN is the Kannad Marine SafeLink SOLO 406MHz GPS enabled beacons.  The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) prepared a stringent tender document for the bulk delivery of PLB’s to aid search and rescue in the event of a man overboard situation.   RAN personnel will wear the Kannad Marine SafeLink SOLO Personal Locating Beacon as part of their personal equipment when boarding vessels, on patrol or in other circumstances where man overboard is possible.

RFD with the Kannad Marine SafeLink SOLO product was selected as the preferred supplier from a competitive and open tender.  RFD was able to demonstrate compliance with all of the requirements set out in the DMO tender.

The Kannad Marine SafeLink SOLO 406MHz GPS enabled PLBs represent the latest technology in beacons which are equipped with a 50 channel GPS, transmitting on the dedicated 406MHz digital distress frequency and they have a built in 121.5MHz homing beacon.


Mark Barker (L) MD of RFD Australia signs the RAN supply contract for Kannad Marine SafeLink SOLO PLB with John Fisher (R), Program Manager representing DMO

“We’re delighted that RFD Australia has won such a prestigious tender,” said Ross Wilkinson, Sales Director at McMurdo Kannad Marine. The Royal Australian Navy is no stranger to working in remote and often dangerous locations around the world, meaning that high levels of safety are of paramount importance.”

“Kannad Marine’s SafeLink SOLO PLB is the most compact personal location beacon available. It is waterproof and buoyant when used in its floatation pouch.  The SafeLink SOLO PLB takes personal safety to a whole new level by providing direct contact with search and rescue services at any time, wherever you are in the world.”

“Knowing that the Royal Australian Navy will be using the SafeLink SOLO PLB is a fantastic endorsement for the Kannad Marine brand.”

RFD is a world leading supplier of marine safety products and inflatable watercraft marketed under a range of brand names.  Some of these brands include Plastimo boating equipment, Kannad Marine and Comet pyrotechnics.  Beginning in 1920, RFD is primarily involved in the supply and service of marine, fire, life support and gas control equipment.

 

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