Eric Colby - Ocean Navigator

24 Feb

Organizers Investigate Vessel Abandonments in 2024 Bermuda Race

Eric ColbyBoat Accidents, Navigation, Ocean Voyaging, Offshore Safety, Offshore Sailing, Racing News, Sailboat Racing

After three sailboats were abandoned during the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race and return trip, the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee has partnered with US Sailing and the Cruising Club of America to conduct an in-depth safety review. The goal was to gather facts, analyze the incidents and make recommendations that will contribute to safer offshore sailing races. After interviewing the rescued and rescuing crews, the BROC and US Sailing have released individual reports for the three vessel abandonments. The reports provide important insights and lessons learned, reinforcing the need for preparedness, training and seamanship in offshore sailboat racing. The sailing vessel…

15 Feb

New Gear Introduced at Miami Boat Show

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Electrical Systems, Engines and Propulsion, Marine Technology

The Yamaha Marine U.S. Business Unit introduced a wireless remote control for its Helm Master EX boat control system at the Miami International Boat Show in February. While outboard motors may not be the power of choice for long-range cruising, the wireless control is a signal of things to come for boat operation. The Yamaha Wireless Control System includes all Helm Master EX joystick functionality plus autopilot control and man-overboard functions. With its fingertip button, it makes possible single-handed operation and gives captains full joystick control while freeing up a hand for setting lines or adjusting fenders. A captain can…

10 Feb

U.S. Sailing Names 2024 Community Sailing Award Winners

Eric ColbyCruising Rallies, Offshore Sailing, Sailboat Racing, Seamanship & Navigation

US Sailing has announced the winners of the 2024 Community Sailing Awards. They were presented during a ceremony at the Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado, Calif., on Feb. 9. “These awards honor exceptional individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation and dedication to fostering community sailing programs and expanding access to the sport,” US Sailing said in a statement. The award recipients were celebrated for their contributions to breaking down barriers to access, fostering innovation and building vibrant, inclusive sailing communities. This year’s honorees represent a range of achievements including program innovation, leadership and volunteer contributions. They are…

07 Feb

US Sailing Names 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year

Eric ColbyIndustry & Company News, Navigation, Ocean Voyaging, Offshore Sailing, Racing News, Sailboat Racing

US Sailing has announced the winners of the 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards. Ian Barrows and Hans Henken are the yachtsmen of the year and Cole Brauer is the yachtswoman of the year. The awards acknowledge their accomplishments in sailing during the past year. The winners were honored on Feb. 6 during the US Sailing Awards Ceremony at the 2025 US Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado, Calif. The selection process involved a vote by past Rolex Award winners and prominent sailing media members. To learn more about the selection process, visit ussailing.org. “This year’s Rolex Yachtsmen…

06 Feb

NMEA Launches Marine Data Initiative

Eric ColbyBluewater Gear, Boat & Gear News, Electrical Systems, Electronic charting, Marine Electronics, Marine Technology, Press release

The National Marine Electronics Association has launched the NMEA Cloud Initiative. The project is intended to aggregate existing marine data for safety, conservation and innovation. The NMEA assures participants that getting involved is voluntary and all shared data is anonymous. It will not be used for law enforcement or surveillance. The goal of the initiative is to 200 vessels actively contributing data by 2026. Peripheral data from NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 systems that are used on vessels worldwide will have consumer options that can be made anonymous and shared securely to improve navigation safety and conservation efforts. NMEA is…

04 Feb

Keep Inflatable PFDs up to Date

Eric ColbyBluewater Gear, Boat & Gear News, Offshore Safety, Seamanship & Navigation, Uncategorized

In its January issue, our sister publication, Professional Mariner, reported that a crew member on a pilot boat perishing after falling overboard. Canadian authorities found that the crew member was wearing an inflatable life jacket but it didn’t inflate. Since we haven’t covered the topic of inflatable life jacket maintenance in a few years in Ocean Navigator, it’s worth revisiting. An auto-inflating lifejacket malfunctioning can most often be blamed on one of two things: the actuator doesn’t work right, doesn’t fully engage the CO2 cartridge or the actuator is out of date. If you have an inflatable life jacket, an…

30 Jan

New John Deere Inboard Engines

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Engines and Propulsion, Industry & Company News, Marine Technology, Power Voyaging

Deere & Company, the manufacturer of John Deere engines, has unveiled two new diesel marine powerplants, the JD14 and JD18. With the new engines, John Deere offers marine customers a power range from 400 hp to 803 hp. Production on the new engines is expected to start in 2026. “With the JD14 and JD18 marine engines, we’re able to deliver high performance and excellent fuel efficiency while providing the rugged durability our marine engines have become known for in the industry,” Pierre Guyout, senior vice president of John Deere Power Systems, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to demonstrate our…

28 Jan

New Anti-Collision System and Gyrocompass

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Electronic charting, Marine Apps, Marine Electronics, Navigation, Ocean Voyaging, Offshore Safety

Artificial Intelligence company SEA.AI has added to its machine vision systems with the SEA.AI brain. It integrates the technology with existing thermal cameras on a boat. The company demonstrated its abilities in its new Watchkeeper series of modular safety systems at the Boot Düsseldorf Show in Germany in January. Starting at less than $5,200, the Watchkeeper lets boaters customize a SEA.AI system based on personal preferences. The system comes with a 4k low-light camera with a wide field of view of 135 degrees, providing a comprehensive view of the surroundings around the boat. With integrated GPS and Intertial Measurement Units,…

27 Jan

Hanse 360 Wins Yacht of the Year

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Industry & Company News, Ocean Voyaging, Offshore Sailing, Press release

German sailboat manufacturer Hanse has received the European Yacht of the Year 2025 award. Boats that were nominated were announced in September. The awards are judged by a 12-member jury and each vessel is put through a sea trial before it is assigned a class. “What an incredible achievement: Winning the European Yacht of the Year award with the Hanse 360 is a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of the entire Hanse Yachts team,” Hanjo Runde, CEO HanseYachts AC, said in a statement. “A huge thank you to all employees for making this possible — you’ve truly…

24 Jan

Recreational Boating Industry Launches Environmental Initiatives

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Industry & Company News, Marine Technology, Press release

Leading marine trade associations have joined forces to develop a global recreational marine lifecycle assessment framework. The International Council of Marine Industry Associations, European Boating Industry and the National Marine Manufacturers Association have formed the first global collaboration to assess, measure and report the industry’s environmental performance of recreational boats. To demonstrate environmental stewardship and harmonize global sustainability initiatives, the recreational boating industry hopes to achieve a comprehensive framework that provides a methodology to quantify the environmental performance of a recreational boat through every phase of its life. This includes raw materials, production, use phase, disposal and recycling. The announcement…