Offshore wind is the paddle board emergency: a breeze you barely noticed on the beach pushes you out faster than you can paddle back. Two things help most: someone ashore who can see you, and a fast way to call for help. Whether you must wear a lifejacket depends on your state: Victoria asks for one beyond 400 m from shore, Tasmania whenever you’re out (unless you’re riding waves in the surf zone), and NSW recommends one. VesselSOS gives you a live browser link and an SOS screen that dials Triple Zero (000) with your position ready to read.
Most paddle board rescues start the same way: a sea breeze swinging offshore, or a run-out tide at a river mouth. You aren’t hurt, you’re just getting further away. That’s exactly what a live link is for: the person on the beach sees the drift long before you’d think to call anyone, and can call for you.
It depends on the state. Victoria: a Level 50 or 50S lifejacket more than 400 m from shore. South Australia: on protected (inland) waters, and beyond 400 m from shore on semi-protected waters. Tasmania: always, except when riding waves in a surf zone, plus a leash more than 200 m offshore and a white light after dark. NSW recommends a lifejacket, or a leg rope, and WA’s paddle craft rules don’t apply to stand-up paddle boards. The full table is in lifejacket rules by state. Rules change, so check with your state’s marine safety agency.
It’s in the dry bag anyway. Start tracking before you launch and send the link to one person; the app does nothing else in the background, and they see your battery too. If the day turns serious, the SOS screen has your position, a script that starts with “Police” and a one-tap 000 call. If you paddle further out, a waterproof handheld VHF on channel 16 reaches the coast station and nearby boats directly, so it’s worth carrying too.
A leash and a lifejacket keep you alive; a phone only gets help moving. VesselSOS is an aid, not a rescue service: in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000), or use VHF channel 16 if you carry a radio.
Yes. GPS works through the pouch, tracking runs on its own, and the SOS screen uses large type: one tap on SOS, one yes/no question, and the app dials 000. It works with wet thumbs.
No. Unpowered paddle craft need no licence or registration in any state or territory we checked. Fit a motor and that can change.
Each paddler shares their own link, and the person ashore opens them side by side. Set your boat type to SUP/kayak in your profile.
The SOS screen (your position, the call script and the 000 call) is free forever, with no account. Plus adds the live tracking link for the people ashore, your contacts and board profile, and trip history. It’s free during the beta.