Smith Myers phone tracking helps save father, son in mountain rescue Vestlandsfjellet, Norway – 4 November 2024 — In another dramatic rescue operation, a father and son were saved after being stranded for 17 hours in the Vestlandsfjellet mountains, thanks to Smith Myers ARTEMIS advanced mobile phone tracking technology. The award-winning life-saving ARTEMIS airborne system is integrated into the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) SAR Queen rescue helicopter and played a crucial role in locating the pair during dense fog and harsh weather conditions. Morten Traavik and his son embarked on what was supposed to be a short hunting trip in the mountains east of Matre in Vestland. However, they were caught off guard by sudden weather changes, leading to a life-threatening situation. With no headlamp or physical compass, they relied on Traavik’s mobile phone, which ultimately became their lifeline. The SAR Queen helicopter, equipped with the Smith Myers ARTEMIS Mobile Phone Detection and Location System (MPDLS), was able to track Traavik’s phone even without coverage. This cutting-edge technology, which can locate phones using 2G through to the latest 5G networks, provided the rescue team with the precise location of the stranded hikers. “The ARTEMIS system’s ability to locate mobile phones without coverage is a game-changer in rescue operations,” said Erland Karlsen, base commander of the 330 squadron. Reflecting on his experience, Traavik emphasised the importance of being prepared for unpredictable mountain weather. He advocates for a new mountain weather rule: always carry a fully charged mobile phone and an extra battery pack, stored in a waterproof container. This simple precaution can make the difference between life and death in emergency situations. “One of the most important lessons from this experience is that you should never take anything for granted when it comes to the weather in the mountains,” said Morten Traavik. 330 Squadron RNoAF is a helicopter unit of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) and is Norway’s military search and rescue service and was an early adopter of ARTEMIS SAR systems that have been saving lives around the world. Recently selected for several major UK, European and North American SAR and Coast Guard Programs, ARTEMIS provides a new and mission critical capability to aircrew/first responders and is deployed globally in Maritime Patrol, Border Control, Aerial Firefighting and Natural Disasters. “Everyone in the business gets a buzz from hearing that we have been a pivotal part of a rescue mission. Simply put, ARTEMIS saves more lives, faster,” said Andrew Munro, Managing Director of Smith Myers.
