Onshore Contact For Safety Reports

Peter writes…

The Tops’l rules require skippers to make safety reports to an onshore contact when on a voyage away from base. In the event of an incident or if a yacht becomes overdue, it may become necessary for directors to be able to get in touch with an onshore contact to coordinate any action that is necessary such as Coastguard notification or insurance claim.

Personal Profile

The Tops’l website has a Personal Profile section where fields have been added to allow skippers to add the details of their nominated onshore contact. A backup contact can also be included if your primary contact might, at times, be one of your crew.
The information in a Personal Profile is visible only to the member logged in and will only be shared with directors or other authorities in the event of an incident.

SafeTrx System

The SafeTrx system is no longer sponsored by the RYA and, because it was based on mobile phone coverage, was not usable for offshore passages.  The details of all the yachts are however maintained in a Coastguard database and updated photographs are on the Marine Traffic website, which can be recommended as a bookmark for all onshore contacts.

This Summer

A reminder that Elfida leaves for the Tops’l 2026/27 cruise, based initially at La Roche Bernard, in a few weeks time. If you’re interested in sailing in this part of the world, get in touch about Tops’l membership!