MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, Mass. (WCVB) - A woman who got lost in a remote swamp in Massachusetts is safe, thanks to teamwork and technology.

Special gear is normal for firefighters when it comes to water rescues, but now, an app called What3words is just as important.

The location sharing and navigation software helped save a woman who was stuck in a swamp on Wednesday.

“She went out for a walk, and then it became dark really quickly,” Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Department Chief James McNeilly described. “She lost her way.”

Instead of GPS coordinates, the innovative software has designated words for every 10-square-foot area of the world.

“So when somebody calls 911, it goes through a rapid S.O.S. system and gives them three words,” McNeilly said. “So, every 10-by-10 square feet has a specific three words. So, it could be any random three words, you know? Marshmallow, sun, red.”

The three words the woman’s precise location came in as?

Jockey. Examples. State.

“So, when those three words are sent over to our vehicles via our computer-aided dispatch system, we can then integrate them into our mapping software so we can see where the people are even before we get on scene,” McNeilly described.

The technology has become critical.

“Sometimes days, on the average rescue, it would save us hours,” McNeilly said.

The woman was rescued quickly and did not require medical attention.

“She actually was able to call for help herself and was on the phone, had a flashlight out and was able to be located by GPS, as well,” Manchester-by-the-Sea firefighter George Black added.

Copyright 2025 WCVB via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.