RFD Wins Record EPIRB Supply Contract

by Connexion Media Services on 28 Aug 2007 RFD (Australia) has won a key contract for the supply of 520 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), an order believed to be Australia’s largest single contract for EPIRB’s.

The tender for EPIRBs was called for and managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). AMSA is Australia’s national safety agency with a primary role in maritime safety, protection of the marine environment and aviation and maritime search and rescue.

In filling the supply contract with AMSA, RFD Australia supplied 250 of the ACR branded Satellite 406 models and 270 of the ACR Global Fix 406 with GPS.

The full batch of 250 ACR Satellite 406 EPIRBs is destined for Australia’s north as part of the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program. A jointly run initiative by AMSA and Maritime Safety Queensland, the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program involves the assessment and improvement of boating infrastructure, education and training plus the provision of safety equipment to improve maritime safety in the region.

The 270 ACR Global Fix 406 with GPS EPIRBs have been specifically bought by AMSA for use in their crew and droppable life rafts.

According to Warren Levin, National Defence Manager at RFD Australia, securing the AMSA contract for EPIRBs has been a giant accolade for both the ACR branded product and RFD itself.

'Winning the contract with the Australian agency responsible for maritime safety for the supply of EPIRBs says a lot about the ACR brand and RFD,' Warren Levin said.

'There is no doubt in my mind that RFD won the contract with a product that boasts superior quality while at the same time being competitively priced.'

'I fully expect the demand for EPIRBs in the context of OH&S to become more and more prevalent in the coming months and years.'

RFD is a world leading manufacturer of marine safety products and inflatable watercraft. Beginning in 1920, RFD is primarily involved in the supply, service and project management of marine, fire, life support and gas control equipment. RFD also distributes a range of brands including Aquapro inflatable boats, Plastimo boating equipment and Aquaglide water sport products.

www.rfd.com.au