GPS Tracking for Houseboats
7 Jun 2016Four tourists perished in a houseboat accident in January. The accident, which took place in the state of Kerala, India, has lead officials in Kerala to consider using GPS tracking devices to create a safer environment on houseboats for both locals and tourists.
The new GPS tracking program is currently being piloted by Kerala authorities. A total of 100 houseboats have been outfitted with trackers, and the government believes that this will allow them to maintain awareness of the whereabouts of houseboats, which are popular among tourists, but also dangerous, particularly when they are taken into the backwater areas in Kerala.
This new program will use GPS technology to track the location of houseboats and monitor what is happening with those vessels. Officials are considering using a “geo-fence”, in addition to the GPS tracking devices. This fence will immediately alert them if there are any variations or alterations in the anticipated route of the houseboats, which could potentially cause an accident or influence criminal activity.
Tourists will benefit from the program because they will be able to know where they are at all times, since there location will be tracked at all times.
India may not be the only country that will benefit from this newly launched GPS tracking pilot program. There is the potential for other countries, including the United States, to utilize GPS tracking devices to keep tabs on boats and other vessels. Not only would this improve safety on the water, but it would provide others who are not on the vessel with peace of mind. For example, family members would be able to know exactly where their loved ones are at all times, and businesses that rent watercraft would be able to keep track of where their merchandise is located, which could prevent theft of rented vessels.
The use of GPS tracking devices on the water can be the difference between life and death. If an accident occurs, for example, help would be dispatched to the scene of an accident much more quickly than it would if the vessel was not outfitted with a tracking device.
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