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A NEW APP has been released that aims to save lives in the water by allowing boat users log their voyages for chosen emergency contacts and the Irish Coast Guard to access.
The release of ‘ISA SafeTrx’ comes as the Irish Coast Guard (ICG) reports a considerable increase in the amount of emergency call-outs its has received so far this year. The ICG says in the year to July it has responded to 1,572 individual incidents, a 45 per cent increase on last year. The record of annual incidents has never surpassed 2,000 but it is anticipated that this number will be exceeded by as early as the autumn.
The free app, which was developed by software company DeCare Systems in association with the ICG, logs position reports every kilometre and should the user fail to return on time their emergency contacts will be automatically alerted via SMS and advised to initiate the appropriate action.
Voyage position reports are also displayed on the SafeTrx monitoring console so where an emergency contact calls the coast guard concerning an overdue trip, ICG will have access to the user’s location and trip data.
Chris Reynolds, Director of the ICG says the app would save valuable time for rescuers leading to increased safety. “SafeTrx helps take the search out of search and rescue,” he said. “It encourages all sea users to plan and execute their trips better, safer and gives assurance to friends and partners ashore”.
The app was launched this morning by the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) and Minister for Agriculture, Marine & Food Simon Coveney with who said that water safety must become a more prominant issue:
The concept of safety at sea and on our network of rivers and lakes must become as commonplace as that of safety on our roads. We need to create a culture of safety first for those travelling on our waters for either commercial or recreational reasons.
The app is available for both Android and Apple iOS devices and can be downloaded along with additional information at www.sailing.ie/SafeTrx.
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You need to show that you have the wherewithal to deal with Covid 19
@Crocodylus Pontifex: well said. my first thought when I read this
@Crocodylus Pontifex: You need to have the wherewithal to distinguish the difference between a lie and a truth when the current Taoiseach passes air between his lips.
@Crocodylus Pontifex: that’s why the mask and pub delay is. Him saying he’s in Charge. It’s not for health reasons
Not going to report on Snoozefest, Journal, no? Nothing to say?
@Maria Hickey-Fagan: I just saw that, Eamon Ryan asleep in the daily and having to be woken up. Doubt it’ll land here.
@King B: *dail
@Maria Hickey-Fagan: Im more bothered about the vote he nearly slept through than the sleeping itself, same old GP towing the line heading for ruination..
@MickN: literally only keeping The Journal app for the comments section now.
@King B: well jack chambers proved he’s doing his job as government chief whip ………..he woke Ryan up to vote, and he’s on e150000 a year for that,.. Now I know how underpaid my mother was for waking me up every morning for school!
We need Leo back.. i take it the prime minister is going into isolation for 2 weeks when he comes back!
@Jennifer Kelly: essential worker unfortunately so no. and the advice is now to restrict your movements . not quarantine or self isolate
basically means tourists coming in can do what they want.
@Jennifer Kelly: *Taoiseach
@James Reardon: oh my god!!!
@James Reardon: you know the important things in life !
@James Reardon: it’s not everyone who can speak, pronounce or spell the Irish language so it’s perfectly ok to use the English translation….
@Jennifer Kelly: lol! Lol! Lol!
Be interested to see how the budget goes now the carrot of an EU recovery fund is in play.
Ireland has already rejected amendments that would see it become a net contributor instead of recipient. Italy continues to resist economic reforms but, now there’s a pile of cash can see the EU trying to push countries into compliance.
@Jack Inman: Exactly. Italy wants the money only in gifts without condition’s.
I hope that the frugal 4 don’t give in. Helping each other is necessary but if they get money than it’s not to much to ask for reforms.
Sure the EU can’t even deal with a dingy in the med. Hopefully after uk getting out it may start to crumble.
@Crispy Brown: no, no it won’t.
Now we want a strong message ??? Our mixed messages about face masks, travel, flights in and out, staycationing with “allowed” tourists from hot spots. He has a nerve !
He’s hardly in the job a wet week and he’s already passing the buck. Sounds too much like Trump and Boris. In 4 months during the height of the pandemic I don’t recall Leo passing the buck to anyone.
@2thFairy: no he just kicked it down the road for someone else to pick up….
That’s where the mask is coming from he’s trying to show the EU he’s in charge. By god we’re in trouble with him at the wheel
The EU are useless bureaucrats. They will only act if the either France or German are in trouble….
@London-Irish Senator: that was a useless statement, that one of yours.
The big question is why has there been no international cooperation on the coronavirus from day 1. Without it all efforts to contain the virus are ultimately futile. Likewise when does a country draw down its lifesaving economic gift from the eu. Is it before or after the second wave or second lockdown or the third or fourth?
Says he who is allowing tourists from one of the most infected countries in the world to fly into Ireland.
He should flipping well known
Bring Back Leo
@Are You For Real: are you for real.?
No harm having the dutch there driving a hard bargain. They turned a small swamp into one of the most sucessful countries in the world.
No mask for Michael , great example , not a clue
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