Crew Aboard Sinking Vessel Notify GEOS IERCC with SPOT Device

December 14, 2010 - At 0556 GMT the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) received a SOS alert from a SPOT device. The coordinates showed the unit to be located 393 Nautical Miles (NM) northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico and 475NM southeast of Hamilton, Bermuda.



Personnel at the GEOS IERCC began attempting to contact the registered owner of the device and the emergency contacts listed on the SPOT unit’s profile in an attempt to gather any additional information regarding the activation without any success. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) was immediately contacted and provided with the information obtained from the registered owners profile and the coordinates received from the device.



The USCG immediately launched a SAR air asset to assist with the search and an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) was transmitted to all vessels that may be near the distress position coordinates. A merchant vessel in response to the UMIB steamed toward the last known position provided by the IERCC to the USCG. Throughout the incident the IERCC remained in contact with the USCG, updating them of any new positions received from the SPOT device.



The USCG reported to the IERCC that a merchant vessel in the area of the activation had responded to a broadcast of a vessel in distress and was able to rescue the two crew members of the ailing vessel involved in the SPOT activation. The vessel the party was on subsequently sank. All parties involved are reported to be in good health.

Spot Tracking systems are supplied by www.yachttrackers.com

Spot Connect Coming Soon

Today we learnt that the Spot Connect will be available at the beginning of May.
Spot Connect is the system that allows your smart phone to communicate beyond the cell network.

Today's smartphones provide a level of social connection far beyond what we imagined just a few years ago. But when you go beyond the reach of the grid, your smartphone needs the help of SPOT Connect to keep you in touch with friends, family, and emergency personnel. Simply pair your smartphone with SPOT Connect, and get connected to a global satellite network that lets you send messages and GPS coordinates from virtually anywhere on the planet. Update Twitter and Facebook. Send email and text messages. Request non-emergency help from professional service providers. And in the case of a critical emergency, send an SOS message requesting emergency assistance.


This long awaited bit kit is going to transform the way Captains and Yacht owners keep in touch with loved ones, update their social networks and add to their on board safety.  More details and how to order at www.yachttrackers.com.

SPOT Takes the Search Out of Search and Rescue

First posted on the findmespot website
“Whether you are hunting, camping, fishing, boating, or mountain climbing. SPOT is a must for any outdoor activity. I can now send updates on my whereabouts while traveling for work, let my family know I’m OK while deep-sea fishing, and have a back-up plan in case my truck breaks down on the way to another TV shoot. Without question, SPOT is one of the most amazing new products for the avid outdoorsman.”
Henry Waszczuk, Host of the Nationally Televised Angling Shows






Henry Waszczuk, Host of the Nationally Televised Angling Shows Fins & Skins and Fishing the Flats

SPOT Ambassador, Caroline Vieille competes in Transat 6.50

SPOT Ambassador, Caroline Vieille, recently completed the renowned offshore race, the Transat 6.50. Only 5 other women took part in this prestigious, single handed event out of a total of 85 competitors from 14 nations.


The race started on September 13th 2009 in France, stopping in Funchal (Madeira) at the end of the first leg. The fleet experienced very good sailing conditions, enabling Caroline to achieve a position of 19th out of 36 competitors in her category.

The second leg lasted 3 weeks bringing the fleet from Funchal to Salvador do Bahia. According to Caroline, ‘it was an amazing experience’, however, was short lived as she experienced electronic problems with her autopilot. After a 3 day stopover in the Canary Islands, Caroline was back on the water. However, after only a few nautical miles, she was hit with testing conditions in the Doldrums with dead calm waters, thunder, black clouds and heavy rain. Fortunately however, the remainder of leg 3 offered Caroline great sailing conditions allowing her a 30th place overall finish

Spot tracking equiment available from www.yachttrackers.com