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	Name:	Capt M Brooks -
	Subject:	What it means for us
	Date:	5/27/2010 4:10:13 PM

We came up with the idea of doing this after Sgt. Buchanan read about Auburn University putting a text-message system in place during football games to report potential crowd problems. Lts. Fontaine, Colquitt and I attended a summit with the USCG Auxiliary back in March where we heard about a system like this in use at other lakes in the southeast. We discussed these ideas with Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Bronson and Mr. Borden a while back and decided to try it on Lake Martin.

The main purpose is to create a system for immediate notification regarding a missing boater, stolen boat, missing boat, hazard, etc. to people who live on the lake, use the lake regularly or are on the lake at that particular time. People who want to will sign up for the service and when we have something that needs to go out it will be delivered immediately to those who have signed up. The notice is delivered in real time to whatever device you use.

Let me give an example. Let's say on a Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. we receive a call from a frantic parent that their son/daughter was going to Blue Creek and hasn't returned. We can take a description of the subjects and boat down, forward it to the Lake Alert contact and it will create a "BOLO" that will go out to everyone on the service. So you are sitting at home in Blue Creek and receive the notice...you walk out to your deck or dock and scan the area and you spot the people in the Alert. Within a matter of minutes we've located them and can save a lot of time/resources.

No one is saying this is going to be perfect and we will refine it through trial and error. I am convinced, though, based on our success from the posts we make on here that doing it in real time will also work and work much faster.

We don't advocate anyone operating any type of motorized vessel (or even sailboat) for that matter while they are using a cell phone, texting, etc. However, about 130% of the people we deal with have cell phones on them at all times on the lake, some with multiple phones. It has become a necessity now rather than a convenience or luxury and we think we can put this to work for the benefit of everyone.

I want to thank the Lake Martin HOBO, LMRA and the owners and operators of this website for working with us and allowing us to have a voice.