CG66/RYA Safe Trx

[[2574]]

I confess that I didn't know CG66 was dead and that "RYA SafeTrax" is the progeny of CG66. Does anyone use RYA Safe Trax? A search via Google of YBW reveals very little discussion about it on here. Any experiences good or bad to report please?

 

[adwuk]

Yes, have SafeTrx installed on my phone, and have used it to enter all our boat details at the recommendation of Belfast Coastguard staff. Have used it once in track only mode which provides some interesting, after the event, stats but not sure that I will do much more than that. Certainly don't think that Sail Plan mode will be much use around the areas we sail.

 

[Praxinoscope]

We used the old CG66 I think twice or three times when we started cruising back in the late 60’s, but have not used it since then, I think it highly unlikely we be using the RYA Safetrx, especially as neither I nor my various crews have smart phones can’t download the app.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I've installed it; having the details of Capricious on file somewhere the Coastguard and lifeboat can get at it makes sense. It was done to death when it first came out; many long and tedious discussions. The main thing to remember is that the CG66 database was NOT transferred to SafeTRx; it would have been a breach of Data Protection rules to do that, no matter how sensible it would have been!

 

[Daverw]

I confess that I didn't know CG66 was dead and that "RYA SafeTrax" is the progeny of CG66. Does anyone use RYA Safe Trax? A search via Google of YBW reveals very little discussion about it on here. Any experiences good or bad to report please?

Been using safetrax for the last couple of years, works well and if you use the minimum info it take seconds to do, we normally just complete as we get ready to leave.

 

[Sandy]

I've added the boats details but don't use any of the other functions. As I have an AIS transceiver the GC, other vessels, family and friends can see where I am.

 

[MoodySabre]

Anything that only works where there is a phone signal is hardly a robust safety feature. Don’t understand it’s value.

 

[[2574]]

Anything that only works where there is a phone signal is hardly a robust safety feature. Don’t understand it’s value.

I’m presuming that one can file a passage plan so that if a yacht is AWOL the CG can access safe trx and at least see what was intended?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Anything that only works where there is a phone signal is hardly a robust safety feature. Don’t understand it’s value.

Same value as CG66 - it's a database of yacht's appearance, contact details etc. So if someone calls the CG and says Yacht Capricious, they can look up the database and tell what they're dealing with - and describe it to the Lifeboat crew. It's other facilities are potentially nice to have, but inessential. If I were out of action ans someone inexperienced was talking to the CG, it would help them a lot.

 

[MoodySabre]

A coastal trip with a phone signal hardly requires the filing of a passage plan IMO. if I was that nervous I’d get someone to track my phone. I realise that others may be more cautious.

 

[[2574]]

A coastal trip with a phone signal hardly requires the filing of a passage plan IMO. if I was that nervous I’d get someone to track my phone. I realise that others may be more cautious.

I think you misunderstand me - if one was setting off across Biscay one could file a plan when departing Camaret and then at least CG/SNSM have some idea of what they’re dealing with (intentions/PoB/etc) if said yacht was later reported AWOL

I’ve not used the system but trying to see why it might be useful……

 

[Daverw]

Anything that only works where there is a phone signal is hardly a robust safety feature. Don’t understand it’s value.

I think your missing how its mainly used, basic passage plan and vessel details as CG66 without taking coast guards time with overdue eta option of auto reporting built in, other functions built in but we never use them

 

[MoodySabre]

When I have been heading across the North Sea to Holland I give my wife a passage plan, rough timings and tell that if she hasn't heard from me X O'clock (usually 4 hours after my latest anticipated arrival time) then she should ring the CG. She has boat details, MMSI etc. I guess this is the same thing as there would be no tracking once 10 miles offshore.

 

[Daverw]

Yes the same, as we are both on board we use family contacts that are not quite so used what they would have to do so Safetrx is a good option

 

[scottie]

So because you don’t like some bits then no one should use it ?

 

[dunedin]

Anything that only works where there is a phone signal is hardly a robust safety feature. Don’t understand it’s value.

This change happened a few years ago, and was much discussed then. Key point is that there are 2 very different functions of the SafeTrax, the first I would say is essential for any yacht owners cruising in UK waters, the second really aimed at small boats /kayaks etc:
1) A replacement for the old CG66 forms, so that Uk Coastguard can look up your boat and contact details in an emergency - worth doing, and can be done up using a web page without needing to download the app.
2) A means of logging your planned trip - this does need the App and RYA initially positioned it for small boats near to shore only. This is the aspect that doesn’t work well if going to anchorages etc with no mobile signal.
So don’t need the app or any mobile signal at sea to do the first aspect, which is very important for the Coastguard.

NB. I think it was a mistake for the MCA to dump the old CG66 on a private app, especially one confusingly combined with a separate voyage tracking function needing mobile signal. But anything to save their internal costs.

 

[Sandy]

NB. I think it was a mistake for the MCA to dump the old CG66 on a private app, especially one confusingly combined with a separate voyage tracking function needing mobile signal. But anything to save their internal costs.

Actually I thought it was a good idea. CG66 was showing it's age and needed somebody in the CG to update it properly, did you ever try to post a picture? If there was a product on the market why not use it. OK I agree it is trying to be all things for all boaters, but use the bits you need and bingo.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I added my yacht details but I don't use it. My sailing is almost exclusively ad hoc see where the wind takes me and plan to get back a day before my flight home leaves. I have epirb, in reach sat coms and a vhf for contingency. I don't need anyone fretting that I'm 4 hours overdue anywhere!

For others it's an eminently sensible thing to use.

 

[Daydream believer]

Does not ones AIS ( assuming one fitted with transmit function) provide enough details? Includes any pictures posted.
If one is on passage my family can follow me. It is my wife who would raise the alarm, if something catastrophic happened. Not the CG. Although she cannot track me between Longsand Head & West Hinder, for instance. But she soon knows once I am within 20 miles of land ( Aerial is on the pushpit) AIS online emails her, wherever she is, when I depart & arrive any port.

 

[Daverw]

Only if your in range of land based AIS receiver, we don’t get anything on Marine traffic etc either 4 miles from berth or out of estuary, within river still patch, wife gets better location via find phone app