CG66 scheme closing down?

[Lucky Duck]

Not sure how many people use this any more but Falmouth CG were advising that the scheme closes down at the end up the month and will be replaced by an RYA app scheme.

 

[Hadenough]

Not sure how many people use this any more but Falmouth CG were advising that the scheme closes down at the end up the month and will be replaced by an RYA app scheme.

Do you know if the existing data is being transferred or do we have to re- register?

 

[macd]

Strange, then, that a search of the RYA website contains no such news, simply a reminder not to "forget to keep your CG66 registration up to date".
Elsewhere on the RYA site there's a 2016 page about their Safe Trx app, which could conceivably be what Little Grebe refers to, except that it contains the advice that "it is not intended to replace GMDSS, EPIRB, PLB, AIS or the Coastguard administered CG66."

 

[[70521]]

Odd, about 18 months ago they said the website was being re-vamped.

They REALLY, REALLY need to publicise this. I'm "testing" the RYA Safe Trx app this summer (off the back of another thread) and from a SAR point of view, I am an ex member of a mountain rescue team, it does not give the CG the information they need (unless they have a huge database of pleasure boats with pictures, just like the CG66). Currently, my thoughts are the RYA app just does what is my normal practice, i.e inform my shore contact what I am about to do.

 

[laika]

No mention of this on the mca cg66 web site. Does anyone have a link to something which says the scheme is closing down?

 

[Lucky Duck]

This was via VHF, oddly I don't recall that advice being given out any other time so far this week.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I just had a chat with a very friendly and helpful Falmouth Coastguard, and it's all true. The CG think that it's a good idea, and he pointed out some very handy features, so I'm off to give it a go too.

SafeTrx will contain all the same info that CG66 does, but you'll have to enter it - it won't be ported over.

He's surprised that the RYA site is giving the advice that Sandy refers to, but I guess that cleaning up old pages from 2016 is something which huge numbers of websites also fail to do properly.

I said that I'd pass the info on here, and he's going to pass up the comments and a link to this forum to the MCA publicity dept., who I think ought to be making a bit of noise about this.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

And it's taken me about 5 minutes to load all the boat data and a photograph. I'll give it a test on the boat next week.

 

[Aja]

Never really had anything to do with the RYA and never been on their website. Is there a link to this 'app'?
Donald

 

[Deleted member 36384]

http://www.safetrxapp.com

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/rya-safetrx-tracking-you-home/id881482157?ls=1&mt=8

Other sailing associations and regions also offer the download facility for their version of the App.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

It's on the relevant Apple/Android store.

I'm a lapsed RYA member, but the app recognised my email address and former password, I'll be interested to hear how you get on because it gave me the impression that it was going to insist on membership. Hope not.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

..... it gave me the impression that it was going to insist on membership. Hope not.

The App is freely available and you do not need to be an RYA member.

From the RYA App download page in the App Store, linked above in my post: -

Official app of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) – RYA SafeTrx allows you to register your vessel and plan and track your trip on your smartphone. This app is freely available to anyone, you do not need to be an RYA member. It is free to download and there is no charge to use it.

[h=2]App Store Preview[/h][FONT=&quot]

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[FONT=&quot][/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT][FONT=&quot]

This app is only available on the App Store for iOS devices.​

[h=1]RYA SafeTrx

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[/h][h=2]Tracking you home safely[/h][h=2]Royal Yachting Association[/h]

• • 3.0, 8 Ratings
• • Free

[h=2]iPhone Screenshots[/h]

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[h=2]Description[/h]Official app of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) – RYA SafeTrx allows you to register your vessel and plan and track your trip on your smartphone. This app is freely available to anyone, you do not need to be an RYA member. It is free to download and there is no charge to use it.

Once registered, choose from the menu options to plan and file your trip (Sail Plan mode) or just activate the tracking function of the app (Track only mode).If you are filing a Sail Plan, choose your vessel, set the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), enter the number of persons on board, the activity type and choose your emergency contact. Then, using the built-in maps, select a starting point, an optional waypoint and the end destination. Once this is completed simply press the ‘set sail’ button when you are ready to start your trip. You and your emergency contacts will be automatically alerted following an escalation process after the journey exceeds the ETA in Sail Plan mode.

Pressing ‘set sail’ in Sail plan mode or just pressing the start button in Track only mode will register trip details with the RYA server and will activate position reporting in the app. At regular intervals the app will send a position report to the server.

At any stage during the trip you can end your trip, revise the ETA, number of people on board or the destination.

Use the RYA SafeTrx app to:

- Quickly start recording using the ‘Track only’ mode to begin tracking at a touch of a button. Change the recording interval to save on battery consumption when your tracking is in progress.
- Find nearby port and marina information, Notices to Mariners, VHF channels, lifeboat stations and useful safety information using the “Explorer” tool.
- Access location-based and real-time weather when planning your trip or when your trip is in progress.
- Give friends and family peace of mind ashore by sharing your real-time location on a live map, and allow them to track you while you’re on the water.
- Check valuable maritime safety information when both online and offline.
- Create your own personalised checklist to be included as part of your Sail Plan before departing.
- Activate an Emergency call from within the RYA SafeTrx app. (iPhone only)
- Manage your profile, vessel, checklist and emergency contact information.



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[FONT=&quot]Continued use of GPS running in the background can considerably decrease battery life while in use. [/FONT]

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The App is freely available and you do not need to be an RYA member.

Obvious in hindsight that registration would be required (how else to store your details?) and letting it use your RYA details makes it even more simple to set up.

 

[Mark-1]

"You and your emergency contacts will be automatically alerted following an escalation process after the journey exceeds the ETA in Sail Plan mode."

Most of it seems quite sensible, but not this. Being overdue is overwhelmingly more likely to be totally benign and they can't/don't launch a helicopter to search just as things stand. This app will generate far more overdue boats than they currently get.

 

[[70521]]

The question that is nagging me is, if I ever have to press the wee red button and then broadcast a mayday on CH16 does the CG have access to the data on the RYA app? If you were on the CG66 system they could look up the data and this would give them some information about the craft that raised the call that would help in their task.

Once the red mist of dealing with a life endangering incident onboard will I remember to press another button on my phone that might not be at hand?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I have rarely used the current system and I am not inclined to use this system. I just do not want to constantly inform a system where I am, especially just in case something goes wrong. I understand it's utility but the freedom of being away from all this stuff is what I appreciate. If I navigate sensibly, have a well found yacht, good coms equipment, EPIRB (PLB), then stuff like this is not required. Of course, it might just be me that is acting the luddite.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The question that is nagging me is, if I ever have to press the wee red button and then broadcast a mayday on CH16 does the CG have access to the data on the RYA app?

According to Falmouth CG, yes.

 

[[70521]]

According to Falmouth CG, yes.

Interesting, I better check the terms and conditions and see who I have allowed to see my data.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I have rarely used the current system and I am not inclined to use this system. I just do not want to constantly inform a system where I am, especially just in case something goes wrong. I understand it's utility but the freedom of being away from all this stuff is what I appreciate. If I navigate sensibly, have a well found yacht, good coms equipment, EPIRB (PLB), then stuff like this is not required. Of course, it might just be me that is acting the luddite.

Despite my current interest in the subject of the thread indicating otherwise, I agree with you. I think I used CG66 once in the 80s, but I'm sailing in the UK more often now and getting used to the idea that those ashore might be interested or able to help.

 

[Mark-1]

I'm sailing in the UK more often now and getting used to the idea that those ashore might be interested or able to help.

I take your point but if you can call for help in an emergency then the CG66-esqe data is only marginally useful, and if you can't call for help there's no way that being overdue will trigger an effective rescue in time.