An experienced Nelson tramper activated a personal locator beacon because he was running late and wanted a ride to his car.

The 67-year-old was tramping at the headwaters of the Otoko River when he activated the beacon about 4.30pm yesterday.

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) sent the Solid Energy rescue helicopter from Greymouth. It located the man, only to find he was uninjured.

Helicopter pilot Martin Shaw said the man had told the crew he had significantly underestimated the amount of time to get out of the area and was struggling with the challenging terrain.

Shaw understood he was due out of the area either today or tomorrow. 

He said the man was an experienced tramper who had written books on the subject.

Maritime New Zealand general manager of rescue and response services Nigel Clifford said that if the beacon activation was simply because the man was late, then it was entirely inappropriate, potentially dangerous and a clear breach of the radio regulations that apply to emergency distress beacons.

"The incident tied up a helicopter for around two and a half hours at a cost of around $10,000 to taxpayers, and more importantly meant that the aircraft was unavailable for any other genuine emergency that may have arisen," he said.

"Yesterday, there were two other beacon activations - one by a tramper injured in the Olivine River area, near Glenorchy, and the other by a tramper who had fallen ill just north of Glentanner, near Lake Pukaki.

"Both these activations were by people who were debilitated and at risk. It was entirely appropriate that they activated their beacons."

Clifford said everyone going tramping should carry, and register, a beacon.

"While the decision to activate a beacon is one that only the person carrying it can make, it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. It is certainly not a taxi service," he said.

Radio regulations permit the use of emergency distress beacons by general users but state they should be used only in an emergency.

Penalties for a misuse range from a formal warning to a prosecution with a maximum fine of $30,000.

Maritime New Zealand is considering what action to take over the Nelson tramper.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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