As the 2020 sailing season approaches, the Regulations and Technical Services committee (RATS) of the Cruising Association reminds cruising sailors that the voluntary safety information scheme known as CG66 (after the form that owners completed to register) ceases in July 2020. Now is the time to make sure you have registered with its replacement which is RYA SafeTrx.
RYASafeTrx aims to provide a similar Search and Rescue database to the CG66 scheme with the added advantage of additional methods of adding data and of communication. The system is managed by the RYA but is open to all boat users.
Details of vessels, their communications and safety equipment and of emergency contacts are entered in one of two ways. The first is by using the RYA SafeTrx website (https://safetrx.rya.org.uk). It is necessary to register in order to enter data.
The second way to enter data is by using the RYA SafeTrx App, which is available on Apple iPhones and iPads with iOS 8.0 or later and on Android phones with Android OS 4.2 and above. It is not available on Windows phones or Android tablets.
RATS advise that it is worth registering details of your vessel with RYA SafeTrx even if you plan to sail exclusively outside UK waters. This is because the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will assist local Search and Rescue authorities with the details you have registered as appropriate. If an EPIRB or PLB is triggered, the MCA would be alerted in the UK to the beacon going off anywhere in the world and would be looking to see what value it could add to the local SAR authority.

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