The Deckee safe boating app is now available here in the U.S.
The summer may be winding down, but a lot of people still have their boats in the water. Because there is still a ton of aquatic fun to be had whether you plan on fishing, sailing, or just cruising and taking in the sunset.
Of course, with increased boat traffic comes an increase in safety concerns on the water. Especially heading into the Labor Day weekend holiday. The last part of summer is the perfect time for the launch of Deckee, an Australian boating app here in the United States.
The app contains a plethora of information including weather and tide conditions, real-time speed, distance, heading, and more. We have all the details of the app's debut, and Deckee's partnership with the National Safe Boating Council.
The App
For Australians, the Deckee app has proven to be tremendously useful, and a U.S. version was just common sense. The app uses National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and United States Coast Guard data to chart more than 54,000 navigation aids and 4000 nautical chart features. As if that were not enough, the app also gives users information on the ides, swell, and winds.
Deckee provides satellite mapping and that data is augmented further with crowd-sourced information on the latest news from waterways. Users can also update information on different marine facilities and points of interest highlighted by the app. It also shows areas which are off-limits to boating access and which ones may have speed zones in effect.
Serious boaters can also set Deckee to give them reminders of things like when your boat registration is coming up for renewal. The app also gives real-time speeds, distance, and heading, which is impressive considering the Deckee app is completely free.
For Deckee, providing all this information is part of their goal to increase safety on the water. The USCG reported a 25 percent increase in accidents involving boats in 2020 from the year prior. In the U.S. alone there are nearly 16 million boats being used for recreational purposes.
"Our mission at Deckee is to keep everyone safe and informed on the water," Deckee CEO and founder Mike McKiernan said in a press release. "Everything we do aims to make a positive impact and ultimately reduce loss of life, injuries and accidents through assisting boaters in taking proper safety precautions when out on the water."
Partnership with the National Safe Boating Council
The information provided by Deckee should only improve in the future thanks to a new partnership with the National Safe Boating Council. The NSBC works provide training, programing, and to inspire a safer boating culture through education and outreach. A partnership with Deckee was only natural for the two groups.
"A strategic partnership with Deckee has the potential to equip the NSBC with unprecedented boating insights," NSBC Executive Director Peg Phillips said in a press release. "Current and relevant data can be used effectively to inform our recreational boating safety marketing and outreach strategies and initiatives."
More safety while we are out enjoying the water sounds good to us. For more information on Deckee, and the National Safe Boating Council, see their websites.
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