Arthurs Seat Eagle Gondola to conduct emergency rescue simulation and training. Saturday 31 August 2019
While we aim to provide a fun experience gliding high above the trees on the Arthurs Seat Eagle, we take our approach towards guest safety and comfort seriously. Therefore, our team are continually working on ways in which we can ensure we have the highest level of operational safety.
As part of these practices, on Saturday 31st August we will conduct a static evacuation exercise where up to 20 volunteers will be ‘rescued’ from the Eagle gondolas at height.
Rescue teams will rappel almost 50 metres along the cables between each of the gondola towers – and while the reality of the actual height will be only 18-20 metres, when looking out across the Bay there is a true feeling of the Arthurs Seat summit heights of 314 metres. [image attached]
The rescue crew will ‘drop’ onto the roof of the gondolas and lower the ‘stranded’ volunteers to the ground with the use of harnesses and specialist rope rescue equipment.
Eagle Rescue Co-ordinator, Tim Daddo, explained it is a yearly exercise and is important for the rescue teams to hone their skills. “Although the chance of a real-life evacuation ever being needed is extremely slim, we need to be fully prepared for all emergencies,” he said.
This mock rescue is conducted in a controlled environment and guided by highly trained personnel. The exercise includes Arthurs Seat Eagle staff, Victoria Police, SES and both ground and aerial units of the CFA.
The rescue crews will be practicing advanced aerial rescue techniques using the latest equipment developed in Switzerland.
Saturday’s exercise will combine the efforts of around 40 people displaying just some of the strategies and techniques that are being implemented to ensure that the Eagle experience is enjoyable and safe for all that visit. Regular training with the safety team is also held monthly.
Arthurs Seat Eagle schedules an annual shut down to allow us to undertake major preventative maintenance works which cannot be carried out during normal operating periods. This allows us to also conduct this annual simulated rescue training during a time that the gondolas are not open to the public.
Due to the nature of this training and the limited time available for the team to practice their skills, the Eagle asks that the public does not approach areas where the rescue team are at work.
