Booomtag: Digital name tags for equipment – quick help in an emergency or if lost

Loyal readers may well remember “Horst”, the ageing F2 Sputnik from our intergenerational 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 modern way of marking your belongings. The key components are small stickers and tags that can be read by any smartphone via NFC or QR code. The NFC tags are particularly handy; they come in various sizes, including credit card format and as small tags.

All key details regarding the owner and contact information are stored in Booomtag via a browser-based application; no app is required. The owner can register their items using an unlimited number of tags and store them in their wallet. A digital record can be created for each item, including an image, a detailed description and further information, such as tuning settings or the date of purchase.

Act quickly in the event of loss or an emergency

The Booomtag becomes particularly useful in an emergency or if the board is lost. Each tag comes with a note stating that important information is stored behind the QR code or on the NFC chip. If a board is found abandoned, for example, the finder can easily identify who the board or sail belongs to and get in touch. This not only helps reunite equipment with its owner, but also avoids costly search and rescue operations. Contact can be made very easily via email or text message; in our test, this worked flawlessly and without any complications.

The owner, for their part, can report their equipment as lost whilst ensuring their own safety – this means that no unnecessary rescue operations need to be launched when unclaimed equipment is found. An emergency contact can also be provided, who can be notified if necessary. The Dutch sea rescue service, the KNRM, also offers self-adhesive boom tags with QR codes for this purpose, similar to the DGzRS address labels.

NFC tags for bags and other items

In addition to QR code stickers, credit card-sized tags and coin-sized tags are also available, which can be used to mark bags, suitcases or items of clothing. These items also appear in your personal wallet, and if lost, the finder can get in touch. Some manufacturers in the kitesurfing sector are already integrating Booomtags directly into their equipment – which can then be reported as stolen in the event of theft, rendering it worthless for resale. Rogier Dekker, the brains behind Booomtag, would also like to establish partnerships with brands from other water sports sectors.

For more information, visit booomtag.com