NSRI is appealing to surfskiers and fishermen on sea-kayaks, or anyone launching any kind of craft to go out to sea to download and use the free NSRI RSA SafeTrx smartphone application.

They often hear paddlers saying that one person in their group of paddlers has and is using the NSRI RSA SafeTrx application amongst a group of paddlers, and they feel no need for all the paddlers to have the app on their phones.

The concern is that if paddlers are separated during a paddle or if a paddler capsizes and is unable to get back onto their craft and other paddlers are unable to turn around to assist, or they are separated from each other, and the person amongst the group that has and is using the NSRI RSA SafeTrx app is unable to maintain close proximity to the casualty paddler, this raises safety concerns.

For this reason NSRI is appealing to everyone launching any kind of craft to go out to sea to download and use the NSRI RSA SafeTrx smartphone application even when paddling in groups.

About the RSA SafeTrx:
1. The app monitors a boat’s journey and alerts emergency contacts who are nominated by the user (family and friends), should they fail to return to shore on time.
2. It allows you to plan your journey on your smartphone. Directly from your smartphone you can enter your journey’s details and know that your journey is being tracked.
3. Should you not return by the time given, your ’emergency contact’ will be alerted via SMS and advised to alert the Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC).
4.The ’emergency contact’ should firstly check that there is in fact a problem (and it’s not just an issue of forgetting to close the journey).
5. If the trip is overdue without an explanation the ’emergency contact’ should contact the MRCC which will activate the closest NSRI station.
6. Where an ’emergency contact’ calls the MRCC concerning an overdue trip, they will have access to your location and SafeTrx trip data through a secure SafeTrx server.
How do I get started?
1. Download the RSA SafeTrx app from South African App Stores
2. Register your details on RSA SafeTrx app.
3. Login to the app with your website username and password.
4. Register your boat and emergency contact details. Enter your trip details and ETA.
5. Tap ‘Set Sail’ Arrive at destination, tap ‘End Trip’.

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