Canal corporation's notification system
Free service will notify customers of canal emergencies

The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation will offer a new e-mail service called Canal TRANSalert to boaters and other customers, including residents of communities along the Canal, to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect navigation on the New York State Canal System.

The Canal TRANSalerts, offered as part of the Thruway Authority's Transportation Regional Advisory Network System (TRANSystem) that provides free e-mail alerts to customers to inform them of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel on the Thruway, are now being offered to canal users and residents. This tool, designed to help motorists, boaters and residents alike to plan ahead, is being offered in response to last year's devastating floods which closed major portions of the Canal System during the height of the summer boating season.

The service is free and allows subscribers to select during what months and on what Canal section they want to receive alerts. Canal TRANSalerts can be sent to any device capable of receiving e-mail or text messages, including personal computers and mobile devices (cell phones, PDAs and text pagers). The system utilizes commercial cell phone/wireless systems in place across the state, which could impact service depending on coverage area. The e-mail service will also be used to disseminate real-time AMBER Alerts to promptly alert Canal System users of child abduction cases.

Customers can sign up for the new service immediately. For information visit www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. Customers will be asked to select the format in which they wish to receive the information - either via a standard e-mail that is sent to a personal computer or compatible mobile device. A text message can be sent to a PDA or Blackberry device that is capable of handling messages larger than 160 characters. A short verbal message may also be transmitted to a mobile device such as a cell phone or pager. Subscribed customers can place the alerts on hold at any time. This feature will allow users to suspend the alerts while on vacation or allow travelers to only receive alerts when planning and/or taking a trip on the Canal System.

The Canal Corporation will continue to issue regular notices to mariners to provide boaters and community residents with important information regarding emergency and non-emergency incidents and events on the Canal System. Notices to mariners are available by calling 1-800-4CANAL4 or on the Canal Corporation website at www.nyscanals.gov. To receive notices via e-mail or fax, call the canal traffic agent at 518-471-5016.

April 29, 2007