Jotron equips survival expedition
Norwegian communications expert, Jotron AS, has equipped the two balsa rafts taking part in the Kon-Tiki2 survival and science expedition.
Jotron equipment will contribute to safety on the two balsa rafts sailing on the 10000km expedition from Peru to Easter Island.
The firm’s EPIRBs, GMDSS handheld VHF radios and AIS SARTs, and AISs Class A will aid in ensuring vital communications if an emergency situation should arise. It has also supplied high intensity marking lights and strobe lights for the entire crew.
Jan Erik Sæter, portfolio manager GMDSS product & sales support, Jotron, said: “Jotron is proud to be taking part in such an adventure where our technology is relied upon to ensure the safety of the crew and contribute to scientific research. Safety should never be compromised, this equipment is so vital that the crew delayed departure from Callao when the shipment from Norway was delayed.”
The Kon-Tiki2 expedition comes 68 years after Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl and the original Kon-Tiki expedition sailed 8000km across the Pacific Ocean from Peru to the Tuamotu Islands on a hand-built raft.
Now fellow Norwegian Torgeir Higraff is following in Mr Heyerdahl’s footsteps with the Kon-Tiki2 expedition which set sail from Callao, Peru on 7 November.
He aims to prove that a round trip on a raft build with 15th century technology is possible. The two wooden rafts are 17m long each, 7m wide and carry a 90 square metre sail.
The crew of 13 people from nine nations plans to complete the round trip within 12 weeks. They will focus on documenting climate changes, marine life and pollution.
By Anne-Marie Causer
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