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Southern Discoveries has become the first tourism company in Milford Sound to be AF8-ready with specialist emergency survival equipment.
The longest-running Milford Sound cruise operator has fitted out its entire fleet of vehicles, including five coaches seating up to 250 people, with survival gear specifically designed for major earthquake events.
And the initiative has already got the attention of tourism trade partners.
Yesterday, July 16, Southern Discoveries’ coach team and senior managers attended a simulated training exercise near Queenstown to familiarise themselves with the life-saving gear they may need in an emergency situation. The drill at Wilson’s Bay saw staff simulate realistic earthquake scenarios, practising shelter setup and testing rescue tools with the new equipment.
The specialist survival equipment has been supplied by Christchurch-based company The Survival Co., whose owner Peter Gillman was on-site during yesterday’s training exercises.
Peter says Southern Discoveries’ investment in such an extensive range of survival and medical gear puts them ahead of others in the industry.
“Southern Discoveries is the first tourism operator to take this level of equipment from The Survival Co.,” he says. “They’ve taken the approach that if you’re going to do it, you should do it properly, and that’s exactly what’s been achieved.”
The Survival Co. created a tailor-made package for the company, considering the additional challenges of remote locations like Milford Sound.
“We looked at the scenarios people might find themselves in and what particular hazards exist in these areas. This gear provides an opportunity to keep people safe and comfortable during an emergency situation until help arrives.”
Each of Southern Discoveries’ five coaches is now equipped with long-life food supplies, bottled water, purification tablets, emergency shelter, headlamps, waterproof ponchos, survival blankets, personal hygiene items, and stretchers. The gear also includes four-person survival self-rescue backpacks, enabling passengers and drivers to evacuate safely if required, plus satellite communication devices with SOS and two-way texting capabilities to maintain contact in remote areas.
Survival packs will be placed in nine company vehicles and all coaches will carry Heartshine Samaritan AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) for immediate medical response capabilities. Grab-and-go packs have been placed in staff housing in Milford Sound.
Southern Discoveries CEO Kerry Walker says the delivery of the gear aligns with the company’s goal of continuously improving and ensuring safety for guests and staff at all times.
“We operate in a region with significant seismic risks, so it’s our responsibility to be prepared for any eventuality. This equipment provides genuine peace of mind for our staff, guests, and the local community,” Kerry says.
The proactive safety initiative has already received strong support from Southern Discoveries’ international trade partners, particularly agents from the United States and Japan, who value the company’s commitment to safety standards.
“We know our travel agent partners place high value on safety for their clients, so we’re delighted to be able to provide this level of comfort,” Kerry says.
While Peter notes his company is seeing increased interest from city councils and Civil Defence organisations, and is encouraged to see more tourism operators starting to invest in high-level survival equipment.
“We’re proud to position ourselves as industry leaders in emergency preparedness, but we also want to encourage others to work with The Survival Co., who are experts in this area,” says Kerry.
“One of Southern Discoveries’ major trade partners has already contacted The Survival Co. to discuss obtaining safety gear for their organisation.”
