New USCG App

RobMcClain

RobMcClain

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The folks who publish the Waterway Guide just announced that on Saturday the USCG will be releasing a new boating safety app for boaters. It will be available in both Android and iPad/iPhone versions. Here is a link to the article, which includes a description of the app and its features.

http://www.waterwayguide.com/latest-new ... 2015-final

Rob
 
If anyone would like to know more before clicking over, here is some text quoted from the linked site:

Features of the app include: state boating information; a safety equipment checklist; free boating safety check requests; navigation rules; float plans; and calling features to report pollution or suspicious activity. When location services are enabled, users can receive the latest weather reports from the closest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather buoys as well as report the location of a hazard on the water.

The app also features an Emergency Assistance button which, with locations services enabled, will call the closest Coast Guard command center.

The app is self-contained, so personal information is stored on the phone and is not sent to the Coast Guard unless the user chooses to send it. The Coast Guard does not track a user’s location, and the app does not track a user’s location unless the app is being used.
 
Won't be available until tomorrow the 16th
 
Sounds like it could be useful. Since I am looking for some good boating apps I'll try it. It may be worth the price.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Just downloaded onto my laptop and iPad to take a look at. Looks like a nice app that could be very useful. I do not currently have a smart phone, and would only be able to access the stuff while online (ie, internet access), but I could see it would also be very good on someone's smart phone for accessing current information. IN an emergency, I think one's best bet is still their VHF radio. Colby
 
USCG has had a couple float plan/boating safety apps they've floated.

Most recently they were recommending an app that wasn't available in the US. I hope things have improved. Seems like no matter what, once the federal govt gets into apps, websites and tech, they flounder.

I'm a huge USCG supporter, and would love to see them do more outreach via app and smartphone than they are doing now.
 
Not the USCG but I just downloaded the BoatUS app. You do not have to be a member or registered with Boat US to get and use the app. Has weather and tidal and safety stuff, with push button to get directly to BoatUS tow service.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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I would like to have the Boat US ramp locator in the Boat US app.

Bill Kelleher
 
Regarding this new USCG app, it is designed for smartphones as opposed to tablets. I realized this when I tried to load it on my Android tablet and the Google Play store would not allow it. This morning I wrote the developer and asked if they plan to issue a tablet version. Within an hour I received a response indicating they are already working it and plan to issue the tablet version in August. Here is a portion of that response:

"It’s in our road map, specifically for the next major release to have a tablet version for the U.S. Coast Guard app. For this first version we wanted to concentrate on phone devices because they are readily connected to a network most of the time, in tablet devices this is not as common, and required extra network validation from the app. We’re planning to have our first major release on August for the 225th anniversary of the Coast Guard."

Rob
 
Rob, I'm not sure if an iPad is a tablet, but I downloaded the app on both my Dell laptop (using iTunes) and my iPad, and it seems to work on both. While I have sworn off smart phones, today my wife changed our plan and looks like I will be learning how to use a smart phone. (It's not an iphone, so guess I will learn about Google play for apps... ) :cry Colby
 
Went on APP store,cant locate this,wanted to put it on my I-Pad. How do I find this? Thanks
 
I just typed in " uscg "

Bill Kelleher


Larry Patrick":17nm4hlx said:
Went on APP store,cant locate this,wanted to put it on my I-Pad. How do I find this? Thanks
Click to expand...
 
There are a couple of USCG apps so you should be looking for the new boating safety one issue last Saturday. In my situation, when I searched for the app in the Google Play store using my wife's Samsung smartphone it showed up and loaded just fine. But when I searched using my Android based Nexus 7 tablet it didn't even show up - nothing. If I went to the USCG site announcing the app, which had a link to the Google Play store (as well as the Apple site), then I could see the app but there was also an accompanying note indicating my tablet was not a compatible device and therefore I could not download the app. So I am waiting till August when their tablet version is released.

Rob
 
It was a pain to find via iTunes apps. I think I finally found it by going to the iTunes store on my PC.
 
Thanks will check these other areas.
 
I'm curious how this app compares to the Boat US app. Is it enough different to make it worth adding it? Anybody have both on board yet?

BoatUS has Call for a Tow, Weather, Tides Service locator Boat US Directory Tips and Tricks, Boat US membership card info -> if you are a member, yopur location and instant access to your camera.

I'm using it on a Samsung - Android.

Still looking for a good stand alone Tide and Current app.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Had the wife download both last night,guess that's cheating. I was busy and its easier for her,I used to download photos a couple times after daughter showed me ,but have not in quite a while. I didn't get chance to compare the 2 sites. On here too much,or playing chess on internet. On a lot of rving sites also. Gotta start reading books on I-pad ,that I bought a bout 6 months ago.
 
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