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A NEW APP has been released that aims to save lives in the water by allowing boat users log their voyages for chosen emergency contacts and the Irish Coast Guard to access.
The release of ‘ISA SafeTrx’ comes as the Irish Coast Guard (ICG) reports a considerable increase in the amount of emergency call-outs its has received so far this year. The ICG says in the year to July it has responded to 1,572 individual incidents, a 45 per cent increase on last year. The record of annual incidents has never surpassed 2,000 but it is anticipated that this number will be exceeded by as early as the autumn.
The free app, which was developed by software company DeCare Systems in association with the ICG, logs position reports every kilometre and should the user fail to return on time their emergency contacts will be automatically alerted via SMS and advised to initiate the appropriate action.
Voyage position reports are also displayed on the SafeTrx monitoring console so where an emergency contact calls the coast guard concerning an overdue trip, ICG will have access to the user’s location and trip data.
Chris Reynolds, Director of the ICG says the app would save valuable time for rescuers leading to increased safety. “SafeTrx helps take the search out of search and rescue,” he said. “It encourages all sea users to plan and execute their trips better, safer and gives assurance to friends and partners ashore”.
The app was launched this morning by the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) and Minister for Agriculture, Marine & Food Simon Coveney with who said that water safety must become a more prominant issue:
The concept of safety at sea and on our network of rivers and lakes must become as commonplace as that of safety on our roads. We need to create a culture of safety first for those travelling on our waters for either commercial or recreational reasons.
The app is available for both Android and Apple iOS devices and can be downloaded along with additional information at www.sailing.ie/SafeTrx.
Another brilliant idea that I didn’t think of
**shakes head**
How can it send an SMS text or relay your position if you are outside phone range at sea?
It doesnt relay position. it advises overdue. Position is available as last know position visible to the network which is pretty accurate if coastal
If you wish to minimise the “Search” in Search and Rescue, then dont play with apps, just use approved Marine Radio Safety equipment – the IMO say so and they are the International Authority on such matters:
http://www.imo.org/blast/mainframe.asp?topic_id=69&doc_id=581#mobiles
Mobile phones should not be promoted for use in maritime emergencies. VHF, EPIRBS, SART’s are the approved method of relaying your distress. This app may cause more harm than good with users relying solely on this disregarding the fact that mobile coverage is needed. The tit Bon homme tragedy shows just how deadly disregarding the correct methods on favor of a mobile phone can be. This goes against all training in good seamanship.
All proven points bit I think this app is geared towards more inland and coastal water users such as canoes, small day boays, leisure boat users, who may not have a vhf on board or higher, so the coverage may not be an issue and having used it you pre program your course and your due arrival time and if you go over the allotted time then the main system alerts a number you give to raise the alarm, they then ring the coast guard and with a little help from some tracking the coast guard would have a fair idea where you might be….anything which can help narrow a search area can cut down a response time….it’s a handy free app for those who want a bit of safety but can’t afford, in these times we live in to have a full marine communications centre on their boat
I agree it’s a handy aid but this sort of promotion is not relaying any of the dangers related with its use to inexperienced mariners. It would be more prudent to encourage people to carry a relatively cheap handheld VHF. There are always issues when it comes to the use of mobiles for such things. Batteries don’t last long on smartphones, contact numbers input don’t receive the text for whatever reason etc. No coverage, coverage but no Internet. At least with the use of VHF the mayday is immediate and all vessels in the area can respond immediately. Mobile phone usage is NOT encourage within the maritime community.
All I’m saying is yes it’s a useful aid but much more reliable resources should be focused on, and the dangers of mobile phone usage really need to be highlighted. I just feel it could actually increase the response time to an emergency.
Michelle – you Dad in his posts misses the point that the phone doesnt send the sms messages – its the server. So you could even leave you phone on the quay side and the texts would still be sent out at the right time to the right people and all you trip data incl whos onboard, where going, lifejackets carried, etc etc will be available to the rescue services including all your historic voyage patterns. Indeed this app will work best when combined with an EPIRB or PLB. Gary should have accepted an invite to attend the public briefing I would have thought?
Chris, firstly these are my own opinions. I’m not sure if you are aware, but I am a seafarer, qualified to chief mate with a BSc(hons) in Nautical Science, so when it comes to safety of life at sea I’m more than qualified to form my own opinions on such matters. You seem to be missing my point also, I am saying its a useful aid, but the approved and tested means are what the coastguard should be promoting for water related activities. You will find that most maritime organisations will not promote the use of mobile phones in maritime safety.
Agreed. But thats not what it does. look at what it does – dont assume its a comms device. its not
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