An emergency locator beacon sparked a search of Rotorua's landfill after the device was thrown in the rubbish.
About 6pm yesterday the Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand, based in Wellington, became aware of the beacon which was transmitting a signal in the Rotorua area.
Due to its proximity to the Rotorua International Airport approach path, every aircraft flying into Rotorua from the south was picking up the signal.
After tracking down the registered owner of the beacon it was established the locator device was disposed of after being replaced by a newer model.
The owner had discarded the device in the weekly refuse collection.
The device was tracked to the Rotorua Landfill on State Highway 30.
This morning police and Land Search and Rescue volunteers searched through the rubbish at the landfill to find the beacon.
Staff at the landfill helped the searchers by pinpointing the exact location where refuse had been dumped the day before.
Using specialist direction finding equipment the errant beacon was quickly found and switched off.
Detective Sergeant John Willson of the Rotorua police said this served as reminder to those disposing of old or unused beacons to be mindful.
Even though they may seem at the end of their useful life they can still be activated if there is any life left in their batteries, he said.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand recommends the following procedure for discarding old beacons:
Old beacons must be deactivated before being dumped.
This means disconnecting the battery prior to disposal or taking the beacon to an approved place to be disposed of, such as a local Police Station, the Rescue Coordination Centre, or a beacon retailer.
If the beacon is not properly disposed of this can lead to a costly and time-consuming search, tying up resources that may be needed to respond to a genuine emergency.
More information on beacon disposal is available by visiting www.beacons.org.nz or by contacting the Rescue Coordination Centre on freephone 0800 406 111 or 0508 406 111.
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