RYA SafeTrx — HM Coastguard's official voluntary safety scheme — shut down on 31 December 2025. Nothing replaces it one-to-one. Your vessel record moved to an HM Coastguard database; the tracking and ETA alerts simply ended. For those, you now need a separate app — that is the gap VesselSOS is built for.
SafeTrx launched in the UK in 2014 and became HM Coastguard's official voluntary safety identification scheme in July 2018, replacing the paper CG66 form. In December 2025 the RYA announced, after discussions with HM Coastguard, that the service would close on 31 December 2025, citing "changes in technology". Owner and vessel data was transferred to a secure HM Coastguard database; users who objected could delete their account first.
Boaters called the closure "a big blow" and "a regressive step in safety" — the sail-plan and tracking side had no official successor. Sources: Marine Industry News, Practical Boat Owner.
SafeTrx had one thing no commercial app can promise: a direct feed into the Coastguard's own systems. VesselSOS does not claim that. What it gives you is speed and completeness — your position, craft details and the right number, ready before you ask. In a life-threatening emergency the right call is still 999/112 or VHF channel 16.
Owner and vessel data was transferred to a secure HM Coastguard database unless you deleted your account before closure. You can update or remove it by emailing the SafeTrx data team at the MCA.
Yes — the platform behind it (8 West Consulting) still runs national deployments such as DGzRS SafeTrx in Germany and RS SafeTrx in Norway. Those are tied to each country's rescue organisation and don't cover UK waters.
It's coming to iOS and Android — see the plans for what's in the free and paid tiers.
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