05 Jun 2002

British safety equipment manufacturer McMurdo Pains Wessex has won an order from the United States Coast Guard to supply its personnel with hand held satellite location devices. The Fastfind Personal EPIRBs (Emergency Position Radio Indicating Radio Beacons) from McMurdo were selected as the most suitable product after a competitive tender against other products. The total order value will amount to around $2.5 million over the next five years with an initial order value of $700,000 for a significant quantity of units.

Commenting on the award, RADM Terry M. Cross, Assistant Commandant for USCG Operations stated “This contract award is a significant enhancement to Boat Crewmember safety. My objective is straightforward: The PEPIRB will become standard equipment for every USCG Boat Crewmember on every mission, and I hope to achieve this over the next year”.

The proven performance of the Fastfind Personal EPIRB was a decisive factor in thecontract selection process. The Fastfind uses 406 MHz to send a satellite alert signal and gives a Doppler location via polar orbiting satellites within 90 minutes of transmission. A 121.5 MHz frequency transmitter provides a signal for rescue services to home in on.

The McMurdo Fastfind was deemed the best product due to its compact size, enabling it to fit into a buoyancy aid pocket or in the dry suits used by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Another key factor was that the Fastfind has the ability to float when in operation or if accidentally dropped overboard. Other factors included warranty, availability and price per unit, which can be closely controlled and managed thanks to McMurdo’s Portsmouth based manufacturing facility.

Gary Mullins, MD of McMurdo Pains Wessex said, “We are delighted to win this prestigious contract from the United States Coast Guard. We are proud to be a British manufacturer that is leading the way in producing and developing satellite rescue devices that are marketed and sold worldwide. Winning this contract, which lasts for five years, will ensure high levels of Fastfind production from our factories and opens up the potential for other such orders worldwide.”

Stock holding, servicing and support for the USCG’s order for Fastfind EPIRBs will be managed by McMurdo Pains Wessex’s US office, which is based at Boca Raton, Florida.

Further information about the full range of marine safety equipment is available from McMurdo Ltd, Silver Point, Airport Service Road, Portsmouth PO3 5PB, Tel 02392 623900 or Fax 02392 623998 or visit the website at www.mcmurdo.co.uk.

Pains Wessex products are marketing in the USA through Pains Wessex Safety Systems Inc, PMB 163, 7040 West Palmetto Park Road #4, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, USA, Tel +1 561 394 9187 or Fax +1 561 394 7633; email painswessex@aol.com Further press information is available from McMurdo Ltd, Silver Point, Airport Service Road, Portsmouth PO3 5PB, Tel 02392 623900 or Fax 02392 623998 or Alice Driscoll Public Relations, Tel 01935 826451 or Fax 01935 826551.