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PLB Booking Conditions & Disclaimer

1. Booking 

Bookings are subject to availability. If a PLB is not available, you will be advised after the hire purchase has been received.

A PLB can be hired out only if all mandatory fields in the booking form are completed. This information is a requirement of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to assist with search and rescue operations should they be required. Preferably a PLB should be booked no less than 5 working days in advance of the commencement of the hire period.  It is the hirer’s responsibility to confirm that we have received the booking.

2. Hire fees and payable bond

Hire fees must be paid at time of booking, not at time of collection (refer to our website for hire and bond fees).

A refundable bond is payable when the PLB is collected. This must be paid by credit card (VISA or Master Card). The Foundation reserves the right to use the full amount of the bond for the cost of replacement of the PLB if it is damaged, lost or used inappropriately (including accidental activation) during the hire period. Also a fee may be taken from the bond if the PLB is activated in a situation of genuine emergency.

The same card must be presented for the bond refund. 

3. Cancellation fees

  1. If the booking is cancelled 14 or more days prior to the date of hire, 20% of the hire charge will be forfeited.
  2. If the booking is cancelled within 14 days of the date of hire, 50% of the hire charge will be forfeited.
  3. If the booking is cancelled within 7 days of the date of hire, 100% of the hire charge will be forfeited.

4. Early returns

No refunds will be given for the late collection or early return of PLBs.

5. Usage

If the PLB is activated, supporting documentation will be required to prove that it was used in a genuine emergency. If it is used improperly, or documentation is not provided then a full replacement fee will be charged from the bond. If the PLB is accidentally activated the Foundation reserves the right to charge the hirer for a new PLB as they are effectively a single use item and the unit must be replaced by a new unit. Also a fee may be taken from the bond if the PLB is activated in a situation of genuine emergency.

In the event of a beacon being activated, whether accidentally or in the case of a genuine life threatening emergency, it is important that you advise the Bibbulmun Track Foundation office at the earliest opportunity. In addition you should also get in touch with the three emergency contacts that you have supplied on the booking form. If the beacon has been activated the emergency services may have contacted these people, who will be concerned about your welfare.

6. Collection and return

  • PLBs can only be collected from and returned to our office and on weekdays only (Monday to Friday).
  • PLBs must be returned by 3.45pm on the last day of the hire period.
  • The PLB must be clean, dry and undamaged. Faults, damage or activation must be reported immediately.
  • If the hirer does not return the PLB within the stated hire period a late return fee of $50 per day will be charged. The user will forfeit the bond if the Foundation must replace the PLB if the late return prevents the PLB being issued to another hirer. The hirer will still be obliged to return the PLB to the Foundation.
  • The PLB remains the property of the Foundation at all times and is registered as such.