From the moment I heard about the SPOT, I knew I had to have one. A SPOT is a small, waterproof, handheld device that monitors your position anywhere on the Earth via it's GPS chip and then allows you to send that position along with a simple message from anywhere via a commercial communication satellite system which relays the message as an email, text message or emergency service notification. There are three possible messages that can be sent: I'm Ok, Help, or 911. In addition, you can purchase a tracking feature which will mark your route with a location message every 10 minutes.

The obvious reason to have a SPOT is to bring help if you are out on your boat and something happens causing you to need immediate help.  But another good reason to have a SPOT is to let the folks back home know that you are doing Ok. Steve Earley says that he found unexpected freedon from using the SPOT. He typically sails alone and before SPOT, he had to stick to a schedule in order to keep his family from sending out the coast guard.

The SPOT folks have a mapping feature that lets you see your trip as a track, but we did not like the way it worked so we are making a website called Watertraks which will let you easily log in and see your track or those of a group of boats. HERE is what we did for the Texas200 - you can see the tracks of the three guys with SPOTs there. You will be able to use this free for individuals or for a small fee for groups.

To learn more about SPOT, go to the website.

Ocean Kayaker Rescued Off Tasmanian Coast

Derek Cook Capsized and Stranded Ocean Kayaker Rescued After Sending Distress Message and GPS Location Using SPOT Satellite Messenger

March 4, 2008 - SPOT Rescue Alert (SRA) Sea kayaker Derek Crook was rescued off of the west coast of Tasmania near the Pieman River after pressing the 9-1-1 button on his SPOT Satellite Messenger™. Crook, an experienced Canadian paddler, was attempting to circumnavigate Tasmania in a 36 day expedition when he was hit by rough seas near Conical Rocks and flung from his boat on a reef just off shore.

Mr. Crook managed to hold on to his kayak and activate 9-1-1 on his SPOT Satellite Messenger, which allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe independently of cellular networks, to initiate an emergency response call. The distress message alerted the GEOS International Emergency Response Center used by SPOT, who contacted local Tasmanian rescue authorities with Crook’s GPS coordinates.

“I always thought I could self rescue in any condition. However, while attempting to beat the wave breakers and land in a safe zone, my kayak’s stern hatch came off and filled with water,” said survivor Derek Crook. “This changed everything and I discovered after a long difficult time of trying to save myself, as I was being swept by high winds several miles out to sea, that I was not going to be successful on my own. Luckily for me I had purchased SPOT before my expedition. I recommend SPOT to everyone who strays off of the beaten path.”

Mr. Crook was spotted by locals on shore and picked up at sea by their dingy at the same time a search and rescue helicopter arrived on scene and met them on land.

"I was suffering from severe hypothermia and in a very remote area, many miles from any medical attention,” added Crook. “Thankfully the rescue helicopter and paramedics, notified by SPOT, were there to transport me to the hospital quickly."

“The authorities were notified by GEOS of his updated GPS coordinates so they knew where to find him. The SPOT Satellite Messenger takes the search out of search and rescue,” said Darren Bassel, Director of Marketing for SPOT Inc. “SPOT is waterproof (to 1 meter up to 30 minutes) and floats which makes it very applicable to the maritime community including boaters and off-shore fisherman.”

The rescue was assisted by a Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter, a police vessel from Strahan, and search and rescue crews from Qweenstown, Zeehan and Burnie, Australia.