Sailing the world’s oceans is a lot easier and safer when we have the latest navigation technology on our vessels. The latest app update from savvy navy, Over the Horizon AIS (OHA), keeps us informed of other vessels in our area through our cell phone’s onboard internet connection. This means no hardware to install and no extra Ethernet cables to route through bulkheads or behind cabin furnishings.
Whereas typical AIS systems keep us informed of vessels in our area, probably visible from our decks, savvy navvy OHA keeps us apprised of vessels well beyond the horizon, adding greatly to our protection while underway.
Most offshore cruising vessels today have, as a minimum, an AIS-capable VHF radio to track AIS targets with GPS coordinates on a one-inch-square screen. But following targets on a tiny screen is an inadequate method of staying apprised of vessels in the immediate area.
Even worse, says Jelte Liebrand, founder and CEO of savvy navvy, “not all boaters have AIS software on their boats. In fact, a recent study found that depending on the vessel type, 30 percent of boaters, and in some cases even as much as 75 percent, do not own AIS transceivers. But all of these boaters could benefit from Over the Horizon AIS to be able to see what’s around them and stay safe.” Liebrand emphasized, “This is why we prioritized the launch of OHA for our users. It’s all about making AIS more accessible to anyone on the water.”
If you take a quick look at a savvy navvy OHA chart, you will clearly see small and large vessels defined by different colors, which make these AIS targets easy to identify. If you are arriving at an anchorage in the middle of the night, you will be able to see on your cellular device how many vessels are in the anchorage and how they are arranged, permitting you to form an anchoring strategy.
With the rapid tide of constantly evolving navigation technology, it is easy for some of us seafarers with decades of cruising experience to fall behind on the latest equipment and software available to make navigating across oceans less labor intensive. The new version of the savvy navvy app brings us sailors to a higher level of cruising preparedness.
“Our latest development will enable savvy navvy users around the globe to see areas of greater traffic and keep track of vessel locations around them for increased safety as one of their navigation tools,” Jelte added. “We’re pleased to hear how well it’s already been received.”
For more information about savvy navvy, visit www.savvy-navvy.com.