The UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has replaced the CG66 system of alerting search and rescue services with the RYA SafeTrx mobile phone app.
This system sends the vessel’s position to the SafeTrx server every five minutes. Even if the phone signal is lost, positions are stored and transmitted as soon as the signal returns.
If the sailor fails to report their safe arrival, repeated messages are sent to the boat asking the skipper to either extend his or her ETA or end it.
If no answer is received after 30 minutes, search and rescue services are alerted.
