Logging on means telling your local Marine Rescue unit, before you head out, where you’re going, how many are on board and when you’ll be back, then logging off when you’re home. It’s free, and if you don’t log off, they act: Marine Rescue NSW rings you first, then starts searching. In NSW you log on by VHF channel 16 or the free Marine Rescue NSW app; in Queensland, by radio or phone to your local MRQ unit; in WA, by radio to your local group. VesselSOS doesn’t log you on with anyone and alerts nobody automatically, so log on as well. What VesselSOS adds is a live link for your family and a one-tap 000 call with the words ready.
The details are much the same everywhere: your boat’s registration or call sign, where you’re leaving from, where you’re heading, how many people are on board and when you expect to be back. Marine Rescue NSW also asks for your mobile number, and WA groups ask how much fuel you’re carrying. Log off the same way when you’re back, and radio an update if your plans change. Forgetting to log off starts a search for someone who’s already home with their catch, so make it part of the routine at the ramp.
In their own words: Marine Rescue NSW, “If you don’t Log Off as planned, our volunteers will start searching for you” (log on and log off); Marine Rescue Queensland, “if you’re not back as expected, we’ll take action to find you” (safety information); Fremantle Marine Rescue, “If you don’t arrive at your destination on time, we’ll come looking for you” (log on); WA’s transport department, log on with your local group “every time you go out on a boat” (logging on and off). Apps: the free Marine Rescue NSW app logs you on and off directly with Marine Rescue NSW and alerts them if you’re late, with optional tracking every 30 minutes. Coast Guard SafeTrx (Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, iPhone, last updated July 2023) alerts your emergency contacts automatically once you pass your ETA in sail plan mode. DECKEE shares your live location and trip plans, and is backed by Safe Transport Victoria and recommended by MAST. GoCoast (iPhone, July 2026) has an SOS with your position and local emergency number, and float plans flagged overdue. Checked 3 Oct 2026; features change.
If you want someone to come looking when you’re overdue, log on with Marine Rescue: VesselSOS can’t do that. It doesn’t log you on, doesn’t file a trip with anyone and doesn’t alert Marine Rescue, the police or your contacts automatically; at your return time only your own phone asks whether you’re OK. What it adds is a live link your family can watch, and a one-tap Triple Zero (000) call with the words ready. It isn’t connected to Marine Rescue, Triple Zero or AMSA, and it doesn’t replace a marine radio, an EPIRB or a PLB.
Yes. Marine Rescue NSW: “It’s quick, simple and free.” Marine Rescue Queensland: “Logging-on is quick, simple, and free.” Membership and radio club fees are a separate thing.
Your boat’s registration or call sign, where you’re leaving from, where you’re heading, how many people are on board and when you plan to be back. Marine Rescue NSW also asks for your mobile number. Log off the same way.
They come looking. Marine Rescue NSW rings you first, “just in case you’ve forgotten to Log Off and headed home with your catch”, then steps up the response. So log off, every time.
No. It doesn’t connect to Marine Rescue at all. Log on with your local unit by radio, phone or app, and use VesselSOS for what a log-on doesn’t do: a live link your family can watch, and your position and a “Police” script ready if you need to call 000.
In NSW, the Marine Rescue NSW app is the one that logs you on directly with Marine Rescue. Elsewhere, log on by radio or phone with your local unit. Apps like DECKEE and VesselSOS add live location for the people ashore, and VesselSOS also gives you a 000 call script. Using two is fine: they do different jobs.
It’s a TestFlight beta on iPhone now, by invite; it isn’t in the App Store yet, and Android comes later. Plus is free during the beta. See the plans for what’s in each tier.