GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Mossel Bay NSRI station commander André Fraser is urging anyone who goes to sea or on to rivers to download and use the NSRI RSA SafeTrx free cellphone application.
Downloadable from the NSRI website, www.nsri.org.za, it enables you to plot your intended course and store essential emergency numbers that can be used by the NSRI if you fail to return from your trip.
It gives the NSRI your location at all times during your trip and gives you the ability to call an emergency number by the push of a button.
The app also gives the NSRI your exact position throughout its rescue response if you press the emergency button.
The NSRI RSA SafeTrx takes the "search" out of a search and rescue operation, said Brett Ayres, NSRI national operations manager.
"At any time, once you have plotted your trip and launched, we can see where you are and if you press the emergency button we can send rescue resources to that exact position.
"If you don't arrive at the time your plotted route ends, we can check on you to see how you are doing."
An emergency button on the app can be used to alert sea rescue authorities of a person's distress call and position to help enable a speedy rescue.
The NSRI also urges paddlers and boaters to wear the appropriate bright coloured gear for the sea conditions, wear a properly fitting life jacket, carry red distress flares and distress smoke markers.
The app can give exact locations of a person in distress.
Wear a referee whistle, have a mirror or computer CD disc that can be used in conjunction with sunlight to signal approaching air or sea craft.
Carry an emergency space blanket that can be unfolded to assist to increase detection and have reflective tape on the craft to help detection.
To report a sea rescue emergency, dial 112 from a cellphone.
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