RYASafeTrx myths busted with Matt Leat, head of infrastructure for HM Coastguard
Q Do I need to use the app to register my vessel details? A No. Details of your boat, the safety equipment carried on board and your shore contact can be registered online at safetrx.rya.org.uk
Q. Do I need to use the app to let the Coastguard know of my passage details?
A No. As boat owners did previously, skippers can contact the Coastguard on VHF Ch16 and register their voyage details and we are happy that this continues. The RYA SafeTrx App does have a Sail Plan function where you can put in details of your voyage with a logged ETA. A vessel’s position is sent to the SafeTrx server every kilometre in Sail Plan mode if the battery is above 30%, and by default every five minutes in Track Only mode, although this can be adjusted by the user. Even if the mobile phone signal is lost, the positions are stored and transmitted as soon as the signal comes back. If the app fails to report safe arrival by the logged ETA then a series of escalating text messages are sent to the boater asking them to report safe arrival or extend their ETA. After 30 minutes, a text is sent to the emergency shore contact asking them to contact the boater and, if necessary, the Coastguard.
Q. Should I be worried about triggering an unnecessary SAR operation if the app fails to report safe arrival by the logged ETA? A No. We would rather do an investigation, track the vessel on AIS or check on the vessel’s welfare, via the details supplied via RYA SafeTrx, and find out it was a false alarm then waiting too long before starting SAR. If skippers are aware they will be later than their ETA then they can always either ring their shore-based contact or contact the Coastguard on VHF Ch16 to let us know. There has been concern about mobile coverage. It is very unlikely that in areas with patchy mobile coverage there will be patchy VHF coverage too. I would remind boaters they have a duty to routinely check their communication devices so they can receive the best signal possible.