McMurdo has introduced a new model in the Smartfind 406MHz EPIRB range called the Smartfind A5. It has been developed and approved in response to Australian government legislation stating that all recreational craft travelling offshore by more than two nautical miles should carry a 406MHz EPIRB.

Unlike McMurdo's existing EPIRBs which are water activated in accordance with international maritime rules, the Australian authorities' mandate that 406MHz EPIRBs used for this purpose need only be manually activated. This reduced specification puts the Smartfind A5 EPIRB at an entry level price which makes it more accessible to the owners of a wide range of vessels - from kayaks to superyachts.

The introduction of the Smartfind A5 EPIRB has been in response to the large demand in Australia for 406MHz emergency distress beacons which are required to replace the old, less reliable 121.5MHZ beacons, due to the authorities switching off the monitoring of the old 121.5MHz system. The Smartfind A5 EPIRB is compact and light weight construction and boasts a battery life of seven years. The Smartfind A5 EPIRB will be available from early September from Boatbits.com.au