
Sail Plan mode
Records a starting point, a destination, and an estimated time of arrival (ETA). It sends SMS messages to your emergency contact(s) if you exceed your ETA.
Track Only mode
Choose from continuous, 5-minute, 10-minute or 30-minute recording intervals to save on battery consumption when your tracking is in progress.
Preparation
- Find nearby ports, their locations and contact details.
- Access VHF channel information for your planned route.
- Get familiar with lifeboat station locations for your planned route.
- Check UK Met Office sea area forecasts for your waypoints and destination.
- Check daily tidal information through the UKHO Admiralty EasyTide service.
Safety information and checklists
- Check the ‘Safety Information’ section for guidelines on: Equipment for UK Pleasure Vessels, Life Saving Signals, Levels of Buoyancy in Personal Flotation Devices and SOLAS Regulations for Pleasure Craft.
- Equipment and safety checklists for all types of craft helps you better prepare for going on the water. Set up your checklists directly from the app.
- Review the various types of buoys as prescribed by IALA’s Aids to Navigation.
Communications
- VHF channels while out on the water based on your current location.
- Receive maritime safety messages and marine notices through the RYA SafeTrx app and SMS messages.
- Activate an emergency call to 999 without an active trip. When in UK waters, the app will automatically determine your location and direct the call to the UK emergency services.
Your profile and trip history
- Manage your profile, vessel, checklist, and emergency contact information within the app.
- Keep a clean record of trips in ‘Trip History’ with the option to delete individual trips on the app.
RYA SafeTrx FAQs
Take a look at some of our frequently asked questions
No, the RYA SafeTrx Android application is not available on extra-large screens such as tablets devices.
Data usage will vary according to the distance travelled and several factors such as the coverage, operating system, device type, mobile network used, Journey Logging etc. It also varies between Sail Plan mode and Track Only mode, and whether you are moving or stationary.
Where the RYA SafeTrx app experiences loss of cell coverage, it stores the trip location points on the smartphone. Once a signal becomes available again, it sends the backlog of stored trip information to the server and resumes posting trip information in real time
If you think that mobile phone reception may be intermittent on your trip, then use Track Only mode – it will still assist HM Coastguard if help is needed.
Ofcom has a mobile coverage checker app that may be useful when deciding to log a Sail Plan or not.
The RYA SafeTrx ‘Call for Help’ distress screen includes the option to send a photo of an incident or sighting. Tapping the camera icon will give you the option of using the camera to capture a photo or use an existing photo from the phones photo library
When the Emergency call options are pressed on the SafeTrx mobile app, the app will determine the boater’s current location using location services on the device and will call 999 within the UK.
To delete your account in the app, just go to My profile and press the Delete Account button at the bottom of the screen. Then confirm your choice. All your data, including your Trip history, will be deleted after 72 hours. If you do not use the app and only have an account registered on the RYA SafeTrx website, please send a request to delete your account to RYASafeTrx@rya.org.uk.
Take a look at our comprehensive FAQs document, user guide or email RYASafeTrx@rya.org.uk

Find out more about SafeTrx
For users who do not want to use the app, there is the option to register an account and vessel details online via the SafeTrx website.
Explore our safety hub
For more information about staying safe on the water visit the RYA Safety hub.
