The demise of CG66 is brought forward to end of March 2020
by Peta Stuart-Hunt 9 Mar 2020 15:24 UTC
RYA SafeTrx © safetrx.rya.org.uk
The Cruising Association's Regulatory and Technical Service group (RATS) has today been advised by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) that the scrapping of the CG66 Safety Identification Scheme - the name given to the MCA's free and voluntary scheme for registering identification and other details of pleasure craft and vessels - has been brought forward from July to the end of March.
As a result of this latest news, which has come at short notice, the Cruising Association is now advising its members with renewed urgency to sign up to the alternative SafeTrx registration scheme, administered in the UK by the RYA and available to all boat users.
When questioned by Robin Baron, the Chair of RATS, as to what had caused this sudden change to the almost immediate scrapping of the CG66 system, an MCA spokesman responded that the decision has been brought forward to save costs on technology.
Apparently, the data was only being looked at infrequently. The MCA's procedure is firstly to look at SafeTrx and then, if nothing's registered there, they check CG66. The decision does not directly affect SAR (Search & Rescue) but it improves the response the service can provide. After 31 March a vessel registered on CG66 but not on SafeTrx will be treated in the same way as a vessel that has no details registered is currently treated.
RYA SafeTrx aims to provide a similar SAR database to the CG66 scheme with the added advantage of additional methods of adding data and of communication. It is not necessary to be a member of the RYA to use it. 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 at: 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. This 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.
The CA is Britain's leading organisation for cruising sailors and motor boaters with 6,400+ members worldwide. It provides global support, regulatory and technical advice and is an invaluable resource of cruising information.
www.theca.org.uk