Really great feedback! Thank you for taking the time.
What we are contemplating is a system that is both highly-localized and more about creating an assistance network than about social networking or oyster bar reviews. What we are building has some overlap with things like noforeignland, but decidedly is not that.
A little background:
I used to work in the ER and we lost a doctor and a friend who went out for a paddle, capsized, and apparently became too hypothermic to self rescue. He was alive when they found him but never regained consciousness. I was working that night and it left a lasting impression on me.
As is often the case, it just took too long to realize he was overdue and initiate a search.
I used to be an airplane pilot. One of the cool things about flying is that you can (and sometimes have to) file a flight plan. It says where you are going from/to, plus details of your route, and your ETA. If you fail to close your flight plan, this initiates a series of responses. First, they just try to contact you, assuming you just forgot to close your plan, and it escalates from there.
There is no equivalent in recreational boating and most of us agree that there should be.
The problem is that, as much as we like the idea, almost none of us would use it - including me. Sure, maybe on occasion, but almost never. Not if we are honest with ourselves. So, I left that project about 75% done and just think about it, from time to time.
The USCG Aux does have a Float Plan PDF that you are meant to fill out and give to a trusted friend, but we can all see the problems there.
Recently, I started looking for a yacht club that aligns with my interests/personality. I noticed something interesting that previously escaped my notice. This area has a lot of boats and at least a half-dozen clubs/organizations within walking distance of each other, not including the various paddling, kiteboarding, etc. groups. What I am starting to notice is how isolated folks are. Most people don't know anyone except a few friends on the water. Or, if they belong to a club, they are siloed in that club, for the most part.
What I am wanting to do is to take the tradition of generosity, assistance and camaraderie that exists on the water and expand on that. I'll give you a good example:
Last year, we ran across a group of young/inexperienced sailors who were anchored just off the breakwater (and had been for a few yours, apparently). They were not in distress but had run out of fuel - within about 2 minute of the fuel dock. During that time easily dozens of boats had passed by and could have lent a hand, and most would gladly have done so. They did not (I don't think) have a functioning VHF, but that wouldn't have mattered because people don't monitor it anyway. I know, for a fact, that at least 6 boats visited the fuel dock while that sailboat was anchored. We were one of them.
They simply didn't know anyone to call that could help them. Eventually, someone stopped (just before we did) and went to get them some fuel. The issue was not a shortage of people willing and able to help - it was just the group's inability to contact them.
(Granted, there is much this group could have done differently, but not everyone started sailing with our years of experience and enjoyed never having made mistakes.)
This incident (and many like it) got me thinking about how ridiculuous it is that, in this age, that local boaters don't have a better way of connecting on the water. Yes, VHF solves this ... if people monitor it ... which they do not, for the most part. In particular, most casual boaters (i.e. most boaters) either do not have a VHF or they simply view it as a last-resort emergency device. And, I don't know of anyone who keeps it on at anchor/moored. But, most people cannot survive without oxygen, water, mobile service, and food ... in that order.
Anyway (brevity is not my strong suit), to make a long story longer ...
Recently, I've refined the concept into something I believe could genuinely work: a highly-localized and easy-to-use system I'm currently calling FloatWatch. I ... floated ... this idea to a group of local software developers to see if anyone was willing and interested in participating in launching something like this and the response was really positive. This is very similar to other sorts of systems that I've built over the years, so, I'm kind of thinking about actually building this one.
Here's how it would work in practical terms:
- App or SMS Based: The system would (at this stage) only work from your mobile phone if you have some sort of signal. The mobile app would be the primary interface, but the system would support SMS-only interactions for areas where that's all you can get. Again, this is NOT for emergencies and not meant to replace emergency communications.
- Simple and Immediate Requests: Boaters who need help—whether it's a minor mechanical issue, towing assistance, delivery of parts or supplies, or simply local information—can quickly send out a clear, structured request from a mobile app. Any members in the area who have opted to receive request notifications will receive the request and can decide to respond, render assistance, or forward the request to someone who can help.
- Selective, Private, and Secure: Requests go only to nearby boaters who've opted into helping with specific kinds of requests. Locations and identities remain private until assistance is mutually agreed upon, ensuring your security and privacy on the water. App users will be able to see how many members are in the area, but won't see exact locations/identities unless/until an individual opts into that.
- Flexible Networks: You can choose to keep assistance requests within a small private group (like a cruising flotilla), share with your yacht club or charter company, or, in an urgent situation, reach out to the broader boating community nearby. In fact, I think early adopters might be charter providers who just use it for their own fleet. Also, my hope is that YCs and paddling clubs, etc will use it and form cooperation agreements with other clubs in the area.
There are quite a few details to be worked out. The team involved so far brings diverse talents and feedback has suggested features that take the project in several directions. Trying to keep the core concept simple and effective, but still open to good ideas and refinements.
I am really trying to approach this with eyes wide open. There is a real risk of building something that really sounds like a great idea that everyone loves, but ultimately just doesn't get used. I also want to be aware that this overlaps with things like noforeignland and it needs to differentiate enough that people won't view it as another app that does basically the same thing.
