ON BOARD TECH
Difficult though it may be to remember life before tablets, the first ipad was only launched in 2010. AIS was added to GMDSS the same year. Those two developments arguably led to the biggest changes to sailing habits for thousands of cruisers and racers.
So second nature is touchscreen technology that navigation by tablet or smartphone is now routine, whether as a primary navigation computer, a handy second screen that can be taken on deck, or a back-up device. The Navionics chart plotting app was among the first mobile systems, and many of the big electronics manufacturers swiftly launched apps to connect your table to onboard instruments.
Ever-improving functionality means that incorporating data from GRIB files and weather apps, Google Earth and Open CPN is constantly becoming easier. There are even apps to help you distinguish your dolphins from your porpoises, and identify the stars above your masthead as you go too.
AIS, meanwhile, has become the default technology for monitoring traffic for many cruisers, leaving radar relegated to the role of second opinion on many boats.
AIS has also had a huge impact on offshore racing strategy, as navigators can now live-track their opposition to glean data on wind that might be coming their way.
AIS MOB devices are becoming increasingly widespread (they are now mandatory on all Cat 2 offshore races) and have already saved many lives. The Derrylondonderry Clipper crew were able to locate and safely recover Andrew Taylor midpacific in 2014 thanks to his own unit.
However, it is still rapidly updating technology, so it’s recommended that you thoroughly test the unit/system combination on your boat to know how the MOB symbol or alarm will appear.