PCE selected to provide digital radio solution to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) has designed, provided and installed a new robust digital radio solution for the Cornish Seal Sanctuary ahead of the busy holiday season.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, which is part of the Merlin Entertainments Group, was already an established user of two-way radios, but was seeking an upgraded solution that could cope with harsh working environments.

The radios are in use by the staff for up to 10 hours every day in cold and wet conditions so a robust solution was needed to avoid constant repairs or the risk of continual downtime.

PCE’s national account manager Stephen Smith said: “The Cornish Seal Sanctuary wanted to utilise their existing infrastructure and the portable radios they already used. We suggested integrating an additional Hytera digital solution to gain the coverage they needed in what is a very hilly site. The Hytera solution is very robust and could cope with regular exposure to both salt and fresh water.”

PCE engineers carried out an audit of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary’s legacy equipment to ascertain what could be re-used and fully tested the new portable radios to ensure the Gweek-based popular tourist attraction was completely satisfied with the solution and the coverage it would receive.

The entire system was also tailored for use through the PA system so the staff could use their radio handsets to speak to large crowds during the feeding and display sessions. One secure channel is used for staff communication and another for the PA system. The second channel can also be used to broadcast emergency messages to visitors.

Mr Smith added: “The Cornish Seal Sanctuary provides a hugely successful environment to view seals, sea lions, otters, penguins and other aquatic mammals. This radio solution provides the instant communications that is required for the Sanctuary’s staff to carry out their day to day roles and to communicate effectively with the public.”

Trevor Broome, general manager at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said: “The solution implemented by PCE has been first class on both a technical and commercial basis. The new Hytera radio has proved to be extremely reliable with clearer audio and we have seen an immediate reduction in downtime and repair costs.”