Missed this one before, but in the Digital Ship Plus edition I mentioned yesterday there is also an interesting discussion (pdf, page 13) on electronic nautical charts. Although vector charts are generally preferred, there are some things that frustrate progress in this area.
"There is growth - many say that almost all new-build vessels have an electronic chart display onboard, and many chart display systems are being sold on existing vessels, and many new official vector charts are coming onto the market. But there is also stalemate as hydrographic offices around the world are slow to produce the official vector charts and maritime authorities do not allow ships to navigate relying on vector charts from private companies such as C-MAP and Transas. The result is supreme confusion and cost for shipping companies. If they want the safety benefits of electronic charts, in most cases they still have to pay for paper charts as well, which means paying double; consequently many shipping companies decide to only use paper, even if the vessel has a chart display system onboard. It looks like paper charts are here to stay for many more years."
Two weeks ago there was a conference organized by Digital Ship, with one of the topics being on-board satellite communications. Although its main focus was on the larger shipping companies, some lessons can be learned for private yacht owners as well. You can find the report here (pdf).
"The result of the trial was that V.Ships saved 67 per cent of its communications costs on Fleet 55... ...EMS Satcom also calculated that Fleet 55 MPDS was 87 per cent cheaper than Mini-M for data communications with the same real life communications pattern, since mini-M was not designed to carry data."
"Dimitris Theodossiou, managing director of Danaos Management Consultants, created a stir by saying he could offer VSAT 64 kpbs always on for $400 a month, guaranteed 99.99 per cent availability, not including lease of the equipment, through Danaos' partnership with Broadband Maritime of New York."
Although intended for use in the shower, I'm sure you'll have fun with it while sailing as well...
"These portable speakers by JVC are safe to take with you in the shower. So load it up with your favorite karaoke tunes (on MiniDisk) and sing away as you soap. It comes in three pastel colors and will be available in Japan on June 1st. Also comes with a pocket-sized remote controller."
Looking for a better way to detect stray electrical currents, and therefore prevent injuring swimmers or damaging underwater metals? Have a look at ESC's DockTester, a winner of the the 2003 NMMA Innovation Award.
"Before DockTester, onboard electrical problems could only be detected by an impractical, time-consuming visual inspection of every wire and connection. DockTester easily identifies the existence and magnitude of stray electrical currents on vessels and in the surrounding water. The portable in-line tester connects between a boat's shore power cord and the dock's AC receptacle."
Like I said before, security is a hot issue. Besides Motor Boat & Yachting's special feature on this topic, Yachting World has one as well in their June 2004 issue. So if you can't get enough...
"The modern way to protect your boat is to use the latest remote technology to keep an eye on it for you. Mike Kopman reports on alarms, tracking devices and electric fences"
LEDs have been discussed many times before on this weblog, and here is an another example of the advances in this area. Orca Green Marine's TriAnchor is the first to achieve compliance to the USCG standard with a LED-based Tricolor and Anchor combination light.
"For example, a typical bicolor filament light for sailboats up to 65 feet will draw 25 Watts of power. That's 2.1 Amps at 12 Volts. Much of that power is wasted in heat production. OGM's LED lights use only 1.2 Watts, or 0.1 amps at 12 VDC. At this low power draw, a boat will be able to run his navigational lights for over a month without the need to recharge to boat's battery bank. Also, very little energy is wasted in heat, which means your lights will run cooler and more efficiently. The LEDs used in OGM lights produce only the color required to meet 72 COLREGS requirements. So no colored filters are required, which have a tendency to darken,crack and cloud with age."
Spending lots of time on board, don't know what to do with your waste? If you've got the space, Uson Marine might have the solution (free subscription required). The UKP-6060 Refrigerated Sack Compactor, especially suited as a waste solution for the yacht market. At least, that's what they claim.
"The compaction normally gives an approximate 80%, and up to 95% volume reduction thanks to a silent heavy-duty electromechanical drive. In addition, the waste is compacted in durable plastic bags, and the unique built-in refrigeration system keeps the waste at a hygienic 4�C, ensuring the elimination of odors and bacterial growth."
Some real-life lessons on boat electronics to be found in the latest Ocean Navigator marine electronics eNewsletter by Chris Parker, sailing from Bermuda to Puerto Rico.
"There�s often a deeper lesson, and here it is: Your vessel has many complex and vital systems, mechanical, electrical and otherwise. Most of these systems were designed and manufactured to be used. The majority of system failures result from LACK of use, not overuse. My recommendation is that you resolve to test all major systems on a regular schedule (say monthly) and always prior to an offshore trip, during spring commissioning and fall decommissioning."
A couple of weeks ago I had a post on a company called MarineLED that keeps sending out these press releases through which they promote their new 'wireless lightning technology.' It sounded a bit like, as reader Dave stated it, a bad PR spin. I received an email from the company in which they try to clarify the whole thing.
Good Morning,
An associate happened across your post dated April 26 on the following site:
In reading this I am glad you posted the question, as in looking now at our press releases, we see that the "wireless" part was not explained very well, if at all. This was clearly a bad move on our part, and we have updated the press release to make it more explanatory (partially copied below).
It's critique like this from the other boaters and readers of our material out there that help us grow and get it right, and we thank you for your feedback on this press release - it has been an invaluable lesson in how we explain ourselves. Please have a look at the revised text below and let us know if this helps the explanation.
Boat security seems to be a hot topic today... Further to my earlier post on this new boat security system, the Yachtwatcher, Motor Boat & Yachting has a special feature on this topic to be published in their June 2004 issue.
"A boat is an expensive bit of kit to leave in the open air unattended for long periods. But is boat theft as rife as is supposed? We talk to some of those involved in chasing lost boats and discover what type of security products are just the job to give you peace of mind."
Missed this one before, but in the Digital Ship Plus edition I mentioned yesterday there is also an interesting discussion (pdf, page 13) on electronic nautical charts. Although vector charts are generally preferred, there are some things that frustrate progress in this area.
Two weeks ago there was a conference organized by Digital Ship, with one of the topics being on-board satellite communications. Although its main focus was on the larger shipping companies, some lessons can be learned for private yacht owners as well. You can find the report 
Although 
Looking for a better way to detect stray electrical currents, and therefore prevent injuring swimmers or damaging underwater metals? Have a look at ESC's 
Like I said 
LEDs have been discussed many times before on this weblog, and here is an another example of the advances in this area. Orca Green Marine's TriAnchor is the first to 
Spending lots of time on board, don't know what to do with your waste? If you've got the space, Uson Marine might have the 
Some real-life lessons on boat electronics to be found in the latest Ocean Navigator marine electronics 
Good Morning, 
Boat security seems to be a hot topic today... Further to my earlier