Booomtag: Digital name tags for equipment - quick help in an emergency and in the event of loss

Loyal readers may remember "Horst", the aged F2 Sputnik from our generation comparison, which a previous owner of the same name had marked with a felt-tip pen. The Booomtag system (yes, with three O's) offers a more contemporary method of marking your material. The central components are small stickers and tags that can be read with any smartphone via NFC or QR code. Booomtag stores all important information about the owner and contact in a browser-based application; an app is not necessary. The owner can register their material using an unlimited number of tags and save them in their wallet. A digital register with a picture, exact description and other information can be created for each item. If a part is lost, the finder can easily find out who the board or sail belongs to and contact them. Emergency contacts can also be stored.

The owner, on the other hand, can report their equipment as lost, but themselves as safe - this means that no unnecessary operations need to be triggered if equipment is found abandoned. The Dutch sea rescuers from the KNRM also offer self-adhesive Booomtags with a QR code, similar to the DGzRS address stickers.

In addition to QR code stickers, tags in cheque card format or coin-sized tags are also available, which can be used to label bags, suitcases or items of clothing. Some manufacturers from the kite sector are already integrating the Booomtags into the material - which can then be reported as stolen in the event of theft and becomes worthless for repurchase. Rogier Dekker, the man behind Booomtag, would also like to establish co-operations with brands from other water sports sectors.

More info at booomtag.com