RYA SafeTrx Is Closing Down 31 December 2025

[ylop]

I had a cg66 then a SafeTrx file. I always thought it most useful if I or more probably my partner could only get the DSC red button call out in distress, without the voice call to follow. As part of our safety plan if I go overboard, I have always stressed to her the most important part of a distress call is the red button, spending minutes down below on the radio could be fatal, so just reach down the companionway and press the red button while keeping an eye on me in the water. The radio will probably get lively with calls from the coastguard, but if I’m MOB, I told her to prioritise getting the boat back to me, over answering their questions. If possible just call back with something simple like “this is yacht Foxtrot, man overboard!” and leave the radio again. The coastguard should be able to cross reference our mmsi to our SafeTrx info.

Ok but what actually useful information is in SafeTrx that isn't in MARS (the IMO database off MMSI's)? That should list every vessel with a fixed VHF.

 

[Dellquay13]

Ok but what actually useful information is in SafeTrx that isn't in MARS (the IMO database off MMSI's)? That should list every vessel with a fixed VHF.

Normal berthing location, Usual cruising area, boat speed and endurance, boat description and photograph, usual crew info (solo or couple), shore contact, safety gear carried… I didn’t give the radio licence anywhere as much detail as was possible on the CG66 or the SafeTrx website. I never bothered with the app and tracking as the phone signal even just a mile or two off the coast of west wales is very poor.

 

[ylop]

Normal berthing location, Usual cruising area, boat speed and endurance, boat description and photograph, usual crew info (solo or couple), shore contact, safety gear carried… I didn’t give the radio licence anywhere as much detail as was possible on the CG66 or the SafeTrx website.

None of the bits in bold are on the SafeTrx website (or app) for me. (I do vaguely remember endurance in the old cg66 days)

I never understood why they asked what safety gear I carried - spare water? Really does their search plan change based on that tick? And are they only looking for flares if I said I have them? Presumably even liferaft - doesn’t change the approach because they don’t know if I needed it, or made it into it unless they have some sort of comms? I doubt my boat description, or even the photo, tells them much more than saying it’s a yacht and gross tonnage! The normal berthing location I can see might save them some effort if they can confirm that she’s tied up safe and sound where she should be.