Safety Info

MMSI: 232009964.

Callsign: MBNB5

AIS: "Sancerre Solo Sailor"

SafeTrx

Sancerre is registered on RYA SafeTrx (replacing HMCG's CG66 system) which is accessible by HM Coastguard for key information (repeated and expanded here), however I do not enter planned voyage data; whilst this is very useful in many situations, it relies on a phone connection for tracking and to register the start and finish of a trip and I go well offshore and to out of the way places that will not have a cell phone connection and that would generate false alarms. Also I might forget!

Instead I have an AIS transceiver  (broadcasting using the ID "Sancerre Solo Sailor" and the MMSI) which enables tracking over a wider area for free via many providers and, for premium subscribers, HM Coastguard, Boarder Force etc., world wide tracking via satellite. When activated iridium also provides tracking via Predictwind, see my page Tracking Sancerre for information on both, including my latest reported position.

I also regularly post updates and intentions to a face book page "SV-Sancerre" that is watched by a number of people, several of whom are experienced sailors and is available to the Coastguard if anything untoward happens.

Equipment

SAR people like to know how you are equipped whether you are being rescued or assisting, this is an expanded list of what is included on Safe Trx.

Communications, normal and emergency

Sancerre is well equipped in this respect, all devices are registered as required:

• VHF/DSC primary radio with GPS feed from the plotter for inclusion in a DSC emergency broadcast, activated from the radio or chart plotter.
• Handheld VHF/DSC with built in GPS for emergency broadcasts.
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB): Ocean Signal RescueMe EPIRB1 with GPS.  Hex ID: 1D0C94B8E8FFBFF, manually deployed and can easily be taken into the life raft. 
• Personal Locator Beacon (PLB): McMurdo Fastfind 220 with GPS. ID: 1D0E8C9B5EFFBFF. Attached to my life jacket or harness.
• AIS & DSC SART Ocean Signal MOB1: MMSI 972604300. In my life jacket.
• Cell phone (O2) and backup device (no sim).
• iPad with Cell phone data connection and a backup device (no sim).
• Phones, iPads and PC's can also connect to shore based wifi system over several hundred yards via an extender.
• When in out of the way places I activate an IridiumGo device for weather downloads, short emails, SMS and voice (normally outgoing only but both ways during an emergency). See Iridium Communications with Sancerre.

A full list of safety equipment can be found here: SV Sancerre: Sancerre Documentation - Safety Equipment incl ground tackle etc.