New marine safety smartphone app criticised

Marine Correspondent

A communications consultant and former professional mariner has expressed concern about a new sea safety smartphone "app" which is due to be launched today by Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney and the Irish Sailing Association (ISA).

The ISA SafeTrx has been billed as a “revolutionary free smartphone app designed to save lives on the water”, which will allow boat and leisure craft owners to log their voyages.

However, GPS Ireland director and former mariner Gary Delaney said the app would create the impression among less-experienced water users that mobile phone technology is a reliable form of communication at sea, when it is not.