Real-time tracking for Heaven Can Wait 24 hr race

by Rob Kothe on 3 Oct 2008 A unique real-time tracking system for yacht racing will be used during the 2008 Heaven Can Wait 24-hour yacht race, to be held on Lake Macquarie, south of Newcastle, NSW, which starts at 12 noon tomorrow October 4th and finishs at 1300 on Sunday, October 5th

The system, based on the EziTrak® boat, car and mobile equipment tracking system developed by the Australian-based Rojone, will allow real-time tracking of all yachts participating in the race.

The race can be viewed in REAL TIME on the Internet. Race positions will be shown along with buoys; the link is https://www.ezitrack.com/race/

Rojone’s EziTrak® system uses a combination of GPS and GPRS (mobile phone) technology to accurately track a yacht’s (or vehicle’s) course, reporting back to a central computer with positioning data every few minutes, with accuracies to within a few metres.

In the case of the Heaven Can Wait 24-hour race, an EziTrak® GPS unit and transmitter will be provided to each boat to provide an accurate log of each yacht’s course – and the distance travelled over the 24 hours.

Heaven Can Wait race found and Yacht Club Commodore Shaun Lewicki said that the solution provided by Rojone was ideal for the 24-hour race – but it would also have applications for other sailing events.

A fully installed EziTrak® system is hooked up to bilge pumps, the engine and the battery meter, and can automatically notify owners of any unauthorised or unusual events on their yachts, including theft, a dragging mooring, low battery, or the bilge pumps working.

Lewicki said the EziTrak® yacht race tracking system would also have applications for other races, as well as cruising yachties.

Livia Grabowski, managing director of Rojone, said EziTrak®’s involvement in the HCW 24 hour race was a great opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the system – and also support the race’s key purpose: raising funds for cancer research.

'Rojone is delighted to have this opportunity, as it opens up a potential completely new market for us,' she said. 'We are also very pleased to be supporting this high-profile event to raise funds in the fight against cancer.'

'Following the race, we will be happy to talk with other sailing organisations, both in Australia and around the world, about how EziTrak® might work for them in managing yacht racing events.'

www.ezitrak.com.au

THe race is organised by the Heaven Can Wait Yacht Club www.heavencanwait.com.au and is co-hosted by the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto.

A fleet of more than 50 boats is expected to blast off the startline in front of the yacht Club at 12 noon.