General

Which Navigation App Should I Use?

Not only is this a question that I am often asked, it’s also a question that I’ve asked myself. With the discontinuation of raster chart data now complete and the increased reliance on smartphones and tablets for accurate and up-top-date navigation information, third-party apps have become a critical component of safe vessel operation.

After several years of using a well-known, popular app, and enduring an ongoing programming bug the company was disinterested in fixing, I set out to find a replacement.  I spent part of this past winter installing and testing more apps than I can remember, and the hands-down winner is Aqua Map.

I will be writing more about Aqua Map in the future. In the meantime, here are some of it’s features that I really like:

Accurate charts with easy-to-identify ATONs.
An intuitive, user-friendly interface.
An online chart viewer/route planner.
The ability to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks to/from phones, computers and onboard chartplotters.
A variety of helpful chart overlays, including tides & currents.
No more “course up – north up” bugs.
A free trial period.
As of this writing, the choice of either an annual chart subscription or a one-time fee for all U.S. & Canada charts ($49).
A host of advanced tools and “pro” features (available by subscription) including Coast Guard data (i.e., Local Notice To Mariners integration).
Integration with Active Captain, Waterway Guide and Bob423 ICW tracks.

Click to learn more about Aqua Map.

Who needs to purchase the Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp?

Any person who operates a vessel required to display a registration decal on Connecticut’s inland waters must have a CT AIS Stamp. This applies to both Connecticut residents and out-of-state boaters.

The AIS Stamp program was enacted by the Connecticut legislature in 2019 to provide funding for the “Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation Account.”  Fees collected under the AIS Stamp program fund a competitive grant process out of this account for aquatic invasive species awareness, education, research and treatment on Connecticut’s lakes, rivers, and ponds. State and municipal agencies and non-profit organizations are eligible for these grants which help improve the management of natural resources throughout the state.

Click to read “Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp Frequently Asked Questions” from Connecticut DEEP.

“Are you looking for a trailerable sailboat? With Com-Pac’s Mastendr system and stainless-steel centerboards, they might be the best trailer sailboats of all! Com-Pac Yachts began business in 1974 with their first boat, the Com-Pac 16. The idea then was to build a seaworthy yacht with a strong commitment to value. Since then they have expanded their line and today they have twelve models, six cat-rigged sailboats, five sloop rigged sailboats and one power launch. The Com-Pac line covers a wide range of sizes from a 14′ day sailor to the Com-Pac 27/3 cruising yacht. Each model, regardless of size, is built with the same exacting attention to detail and that same commitment to value.”

Click to watch “Com-Pac Sailboats – Everything You Need To Know” from Practical Sailor.

There are your lights, which should be in good working order. But what about those other navigation lights out there?

“Back in the day, ships were small enough for the bow lookout to turn, face aft and yell back to the mate on the bridge. A sailor would affirm the correct functioning of the navigation lights each day at sunset by shouting, “The lights are shining brightly!” I loved this old-timey routine. You can call me a nostalgic old toot, but I fondly recite the words under my breath before assuming a night watch to this day, no matter what boat I’m on.”

Click to read “What To Know About Navigation Lights” from Soundings, written by Pat Mundus.

Since 2014, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Office of Marine Safety has published the Safer Seas Digest, an annual report examining actions that jeopardize the safety of vessels, personnel, and the environment. The most recent edition, released in June 2024, examines 31 investigations completed by the NTSB in 2023. The report analyzes the causes of these accidents and offers lessons that can be learned from each incident.

Click to read “Mariners Can Derive Valuable Lessons From NTSB Reports” from WorkBoat, written by Michael Crowley.

Channel 13, Channel 16, Sécurité, Pan-Pan, Mayday, DSC, MMSI. What are they for? Do you know how to make a distress call, and how to respond to one?

“Just because everyone has a cell phone in their pocket doesn’t mean the VHF radio is a quaint relic of past technology. Onboard, a VHF is an essential part of your safety kit. If you need help or want to broadcast critical information, there are established procedures depending on the urgency of the situation. Here’s what to do when you hear one and how to make an efficient call should you need to.”

Click to read “Working The VHF” from Soundings, written by Pat Mundus.