Although I'm sure this is meant for military use, this solution from Nautronix allows you to send an SMS while underwater. Well, sort of at least....
"The mine countermeasure system will provide divers with underwater PCs that allow them to track their position using GPS or sonar technology, log the locations of objects in the water, and communicate with each other by an acoustically powered "underwater SMS" system."
Apparently Raymarine is launching a new fixed mount VHF radio and some other products. But I can't find anything about it on their website though. Or anywhere else for that matter....
"Making its show debut will be the Ray 240 E - a fixed mount radio, offering top of the range features for VHF and Digital Selective Calling, and RayTech 5 - the latest and most technically advanced version of RayTech Navigation System software that can be operated from the new fully waterproof USB navigation console keypad."
Nice article on the value of SSB radio, and why you should not be replacing SSB by satphone technology.
Although we had bought our single sideband radio primarily for safety, we've discovered that it's also our central source for communication, as well as entertainment. Now, after a lot of experience on the water, we've come to realize the value of the SSB to our cruising. The sat phone and the SSB actually serve two very different purposes. Ultimately one day, we'd like to have both aboard.
It has been a while since we last heard some news about the availability of Boeing's supposedly rule-breaking solution. Apparently they are testing it with a commercial shipping company, Teekay.
The Connexion by Boeing maritime solution - 2.5 Mbps to the vessel and 256 kbps from the vessel - is much faster than the most commonly deployed narrowband maritime communications systems available today. This capability will allow users to access the Internet and firewall-protected corporate intranets, send outgoing e-mails or open large attachments from incoming e-mails and get the news, weather or destination information.
Good eNewsletter from Ocean Navigator in which the author describes a near collision situation and how he responded to it, using both technology and common sense... He points out how one device, an active radar reflector, could have been very helpful.
"Sea-me is an active radar reflector. When struck by a radar beam, Sea-me amplifies and reflects the amplified signal back to the sending unit. The amplified signal makes the target appear much larger. The reflected signal has an average radar cross section of 34 square meters, and I know vessels using this device often appear like a ship on radar. This device also has a radar detector, which alerts you to an active radar system in the area (similar to the CARD, though CARD does have a directional display)."
New technology creates new problems. Some boaters in Canada have a problem since they can't obtain legal electronics maps for certain populair sailing areas. 
The companies involved "are currently in some intense negotiations hope an agreement will be in place soon."
"Most boaters use electronic navigation equipment from two major companies: C-Map and Navionics. In January, Ottawa warned about the illegality of electronic maps from these companies detailing Canadian waters."
A lot has been said already about the slow migration from NMEA 0183 towards NMEA 2000. And of the resulting proprietary solutions introduced by most manufacturers. Here's a short introduction to Simrad's SimNet.
The all new SIMRAD Intelligent Marine NETwork replaces NMEA 0183 as our product interconnection system and is our internal data control and sharing network. By being compatible with the NMEA 2000 interfacing standard, it opens up a new world of network options. Owners and captains will now have the utmost flexibility in choosing the very best, most suitable component for their electronics package.
I was talking about having problems with watching and securing my own boat the other day. Here's another solution for those of you with similar problems (and a GSM cellphone...).
"The Harbormaster Mark II is a new remote wireless monitoring security system that checks a vacant boat's vital systems and on-board conditions. The system uses a GSM based network to send data about the boat to a central server, enabling the boat owner to be able to check their craft at any time via the World Wide Web, mobile phone, text message, fax or email."
There are so many ways to have entertainment on board, in the cockpit, the cabins or the saloon. But most of the time sound is a 'good enough' thing. Well, some manufacturers are trying to change that.
"Poly-Planar’s new 10" MS250 subwoofer is designed to do just that, teamed up with a separate water-resistant marine audio amplifier that will crank up the required response from the lower registers."
And we have another fan of Uniden’s Mystic, a device that has been mentioned on Panbo.com before and should be a very popular GPS device looking at my website statistics... In the article a couple of other devices that help you find yourself again are reviewed, a.o. Garmin’s GPSMAP 60CS and Foretrex 101 Personal Navigator and the Suunto X9 watch.
"When boating, I usually take a GPS along but always wanted some inexpensive and integrated device that could signal for help in an emergency. Uniden’s new Mystic handheld marine radio offers terrific GPS navigation with a one-button emergency call to alert the Coast Guard to your position."
GadgetMadness reports on Oceanic's waterproof MP3 players. I wrote about them a while ago.
"Oceanic Worldwide has a new line of MP3 players that are waterproof to 200 feet (66m). The H20Audio series looks like an iRiver iFP-300 series unit in a water- and pressure-proof housing, packaged with funky little earbuds that clip on the strap of your mask."
(Waterproof at Amazon.com)
Good article on the history (and future) of time and navigation. I especialy like the quote that says: "For every minute lost by a clock, it meant that there would be a navigational error of 15 miles. In 1761, John Harrison invented a pocket watch accurate enough to use for navigation at sea, which lost only 5 seconds in 6 and ½ weeks."
And, for some sense of history let's not forget how easy it is for us to navigate the seas these days....
"In about 1100 AD, the magnetic compass began to appear in navigation. By the end of 13th century, the first true nautical charts for marine navigation appeared in Italy. In the 20th century electronic instruments supplanted many centuries-old navigation technologies. In 1904 German inventor Christian Hulsmeyer introduced the first navigation device using radar technology."
The perfect Father’s Day gift, so they say...
"The X135 has 4000 watts peak-to-peak power for depths to 1,000 feet. It comes with “Fish I.D.” This feature automatically interprets sonar echoes and displays them as fish symbols. The “FasTrack” feature lets you speed your boat over the water and watch the bottom contours and depths while you hunt out the perfect spot."
I do not have any experience with it myself, but Coastal Explorer from Rose Point Navigation Systems comes highly recommended by Todd Huss. It's not yet commercially availale, but that should not take long according to their website.
"A cool product I've been using lately is by Rose Point Nav, if you haven't heard of them yet. They're based out of Seattle and make a really nice navigation suite called Coastal Explorer. It's still in beta and I came across it because a couple boats that are beta testing our wireless hardware were running it. I personally think the UI is a major improvement over Raytech navigator, the Capn, or Nobeltech."
You're not allowed to communicate on 14.300 MHz frequency using your SSB radio unless you are an amateur licensee. But make sure you know how it works in case of an emergency...
"Under normal conditions, transmissions by non-amateur stations on this frequency are prohibited by international law," said Assistant Net Manager Tom Job, VE3II, who lives near Toronto and took the initial call for help. "But when an emergency occurs at sea, anyone can use the frequency for assistance." At the time, the 80-foot, steel-hulled Brandon Travis was reported two days east of Roatan, Honduras."
If you can't afford Altobridge's solution for being able to send an SMS from anywhere at sea, than may be Xantic's prepaid messaging service is right for you.
"No special software or hardware is needed to implement Xantic Prepaid Messaging and users receive a delivery notification (positive or negative) indicating the status and cost of each email or SMS sent."
I have a boat that I use to spend time on the beautiful Amsterdam canals, but the only problem is that thieves are trying everything to get something useful from my boat. And, unfortunately, they succeed every now and then. May be this is a solution. It's nothing new, but increasingly popular...
"These Internet protocol, or IP, cameras, made by companies including Cisco Systems' Linksys unit and Sweden's Axis Communications, function as stand-alone servers that stream video over the web."
No GPS interference for turtles, according to recent a report in the journal Nature. So if you are lost at sea, and GPS has let you down, go find your self a turtle that connects to your chartplotter...
"The turtles' navigation aid is the equivalent of the GPS, but instead of relying on satellites in space, it depends on magnetism."
It's big, but then again it's the Pro version...
"The Weather Watch Pro uses a Swiss-made impeller for current, average, and maximum windspeed. One of the impeller fins is magnetized, highlighted in green and always points North. This allows you to mechanically determine wind direction. The display is Backlit and the unit is water resistant. Weather Watch Pro can be detached from the wrist strap and worn on a lanyard."
Interesting discussion over at the BoaterEd Forums. Scotty, working for Standard Horizon says "...we currently are not planning to implement the NMEA 2000 into our systems simple because most marine electronics companies are not using that system." Now if everybody in the industry keeps using this argument, we won't get anywhere.
Les Hall: "Raymarine's C80 is about $1,500 with a 8.4" screen. To it's credit, it does have a NMEA 2000 port. However, for the same amount of money, I can get a 15" laptop with a 15" screen, a USB GPS antenna, charting software, street mapping software and a 2.6 GIGAhertz processor. The point is that the good folks who make this stuff need to start thinking a little more about the consumer by standardizing on some common features. Even the NMEA 0183 connections require hand wiring."
Lots of electronics in Practical Boat Owner's July issue. Articles on Simrad's VHF, HP iPAQs with GPS, Geonav 5C Chart plotters, a 12V boat PC and a look at eCharts.
"You’ve decided on the hardware, now what about the cartography? Colin Jones looks at the three main software suppliers."
Subscribe to DIY Boat Owner's newlsetter in order to know when to turn off the boat's main AC breaker before plugging in.
"There are two reasons for turning off the boat's main breaker before plugging or unplugging the shorepower cord. The process of plugging in or unplugging the shorepower cord can cause spiking noise, harmful to sensitive electronics. More importantly, you can confirm AC polarity before connecting to shorepower. An AC polarity indicator, which all boats equipped with AC power should have, ensures that the hot and ground wires aren't switched."
If you happen to be sailing the North Carolina waters over the next 10 days, make sure you take notice... Update: Apparently Boat U.S. is concerned about the impact of this GPS service disruption.
"GPS interference testing, conducted during a military exercise by the Department of Defense, will make the signal unreliable and may affect cell phone signals from about 50 to 60 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras as well as some waters off Florida, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday."
In Yachting World's July issue two charting software solutions are reviewed, and you can find out all about the ARC and the equipment being used by the yachts that participate.
"One of the hottest items of new equipment at the moment is charting software and the debate is on as to whether this can now be considered as a primary means of navigation. We examine two of the newest systems, the budget-priced RYA software and the upmarket MaxSea."
A remote controlled boat, we've seen that before. But this one's different, since it will allow you to go waterskiing on your own...
"Well, Washington State-based SOLO is championing the needy dreams of lonely water skiiers everywhere, with the Personal Ski Machine, an unmanned electric motor boat/ski jet-type thing to pull you around. You can manuever the Personal Ski Machine via its electronically controlled tow handle, and when you inevitably fall or drop the handle the boat automatically raises a flag and immediately shuts down."
Garmin, a relative newcomer in this market, has launched two brand-new radars. With the introduction of these products, and a new networking system, Garmin now has an extensive line of marine electronics.
"Most of the radar units offered by other networking companies use Koden products, but Garmin is entering the market with its own sensors. They are part of a new networking system that’s based on Garmin’s very popular GPS/chartplotter technology. The network employs the widely used Ethernet system, which allows easy interface for specified plug-and-play sensors, including fishfinders, weather receivers and satellite radio systems."
Besides some new satellite communications systems, Simrad also introduced three new satellite TV receivers and antennas. The TV45, TV46 and the TV60. With improved tracking capability, they will hopefully provide you with a clear and steady picture, even on rough seas...
"The TV45 is for slow-moving boats cruising in strong signal waters. The TV46 features faster follow-up tracking with either single or twin Low Noise Block (LNB) converters. Both the 45 and 46 work with minimum signal strengths (50 dbW EIRP), while the TV60 is designed for reception in weak signal areas (48 dbW) using a quad LNB option."
Last week I wrote about Simrad's new offering, and now Nera's F33 is also available on smaller craft.
"The Nera F33 gives leisure craft, fishing boats and other smaller vessels access to high-class communication facilities comparable to those of large commercial ships. The new MPDS facilities vastly enhance the Nera F33 terminal's capacities, thus contributing to better communication and safer travel at sea". With the MPDS service, Nera F33 users can access the Internet, e-mail, real-time weather updates, instant messaging, as well as any online data updates."
How many marine electronics and communications equipments would you need on a rowboat...? Well, a lot if you would have to row for 3,000 miles non-stop.
"In addition to her GPS, she will have an array of safety and communication equipment onboard, including an Argos Beacon - which will report her position by satellite and, in an emergency, emit a distress signal - a desalinator to change sea water into fresh water, and an Iridium satellite phone. Several marine lights have also been installed to announce her position to approaching vessels."
And here's a funny quote on the usage of VHF radio:
"Quemere's only contact during her 2003 voyage was with an Italian supertanker that drew a little too-close-for-comfort. According to Quemere, she quickly grabbed her VHF radio and excitedly reported her position, telling one confused Italian crewman that she was in a small rowboat."
"Do you need to be rescued," he asked.
"No, I'm rowing across the ocean," she replied.
"You're doing what?" he asked in disbelief.
Apparently electronics are not the answer to everything.... Some wise advice from Billy Harris:
"Even with all of today's electronic navigational aids, it is important to be familiar with nautical charts and to know how to use them."
With more and more integrated navigation systems coming to the market, there is a huge trend towards larger monitors that have split-screen functionality. Furuno recently introduced two new screens, a 12.1" and a 15" model.
"Called the MU series, these monitors will not look dark when viewed from any angle. And with a current draw of only 50 or 60 watts, respectively, these monitors will not generate a lot of heat, so they can be installed in flush-mount configurations."
Although EPIRBs are not required on private yachts, they do save lives. Here's a story on how they do that and what different systems are available. I'm sure it is worth your consideration if you sail in more dangerous waters. Don't forget to register them by the way...
"Some of the best models also include a Global Positioning System signal. The system tells rescuers the location, within one to three miles, of distressed boaters in the first signal burst rather than waiting two or more hours for several satellites to pass by and get a fix."
I've written before about Maptech's i3 solution, bringing together a radar, GPS, chartplotter and fishfinder. Motor Boating Magazine has a short review of it, and they highlight some of the nicer features.
"Maptech’s i3 is also a communicator with attitude. Using SkyMate satellite services, the i3 can provide e-mail functions with a twist. If you type a message using the on-screen keyboard, it can be broadcast in voice over a phone connection at the other end."
I've highlighted some more entertaining diving gear in the past, but Gizmodo now has a really good one... The Aqua FM Swim Snorkel Radio from Aquanaut.
"Even better, the Aqua FM snorkel uses no earphones, and instead uses bone conduction to pass the audio signal through your teeth right into your dome. And if you want to test the range of FM underwater, feel free; the radio snorkel is waterproof to 33 feet."
Of course you can read this weblog to learn all about marine equipment that might save your life someday, but now there's also a new three-part video series called "Taking the Search Out of Search & Rescue."
"Endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard"These three videos - "Rescue 21," "Using Your DSC Radio" and "The GMDSS System" - cover other safety equipment as well, including EPIRBs, SARTS and Inmarsat satellite communications."
The early adopters of marine electronics can be found in the competitive fishing scene. Here's a story on a guy who outfitted his boat to the fullest extend. Like the article says: "he'll be at the helm of a boat with a control panel that resembles the Starship Enterprise"
"An impressive array of electronics -- everything from a laptop computer and wireless monitors to color sonar, a Lowrance LCX-104C, and global positioning system technology -- covers the dashboard of Samson's 20-foot Crestliner walleye fishing machine. As technological trappings go, not even Mr. Spock or Capt. Kirk could claim bragging rights over Samson."
Singer Billy Joel appears to be a marine electronics fanatic as well... Apparently he asked Raymarine to outfit his new 57 Shelter Island Commuter, named Vendetta...
"When commissioned in early fall, Vendetta will be navigated with Raymarine products. The uniquely curved dash will include three C-120 displays with brilliant sunlight viewable displays, ST290 instruments, Ray215 radio, 4kw Radar open array, and the new gyro-enhanced SmartPilot with 8001 control head."
Motor Boating Magazine has a buyer's guide for picking the right radar for your boat. They help you decide what kind of radar you should buy, and they give some examples ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The models they discuss are JRC 1000MK as the least costly stand-alone currently on the market, Furuno's 1623, Simrad’s new CA series, the JMA-5100 Black Box series, Garmin's new 2- and 4-kW models, Maptech's i3 and Nobeltec. They mention Raymarine, Si-Tex and Northstar but more for their potential links to a PC.
"With nine manufacturers—six stalwarts and three new ones—offering more than 100 models, the choices can boggle the mind. There are stand-alone units for anticollision protection. There are multifunction units that link with chartplotters, GPSs and fishfinders. Some are configured as sensors for onboard personal computers (PCs). Others are black box models that connect to a sophisticated network and a large, sunlight-viewable monitor."
There are many technologies and gadgets that will assist you when trying to catch some fish. Barnegat's solution is one that will please non-fishers as well.
"Barnegat Light Marine Products introduces a light that mounts under the swim platform to attract marine life for viewing, fishing or diving. Its internal components are potted to prevent corrosion, and a 4-foot cable allows for electrical connections inside the boat."
MegaYacht has an article (free subscription required) on Altobridge's system that allows you to use your regular cellphone onboard, anywhere at sea... I've written about their solution two months ago as well.
"The Altobridge AM (Aeronautical & Maritime) Gateway Platform will enable mobile phone users to effectively roam from their usual home mobile network onto a ship-based network in the same way that they would if using their mobile phone overseas on a foreign network. Users will be able to use their own phone, their existing service provider and personal settings, as if they were on land. Calls made at sea will be charged to their normal phone bill."
Simrad has launched two new, Inmarsat Fleet based, satellite communication systems. The MS55 would be a perfect solution for larger ships, whereas the other, Simrad's MS33, is especially useful for smaller private yachts. It provides an (MPDS) always on internet connection, so you'll never have to be offline again with your AIM, Yahoo or MSN messenger...
"The MS33 is designed especially for small and medium sized fishing vessels and motor and sailing yachts. This cost effective communications package requires a small, light antenna and features 'plug and play' below deck interfaces (PC, fax, telephone). This makes installation of the MS33 so simple that boat owners can do it themselves, saving the costs of a specialist installation engineer."
A story on MariTrack, another solution to meet new requirements for ship security alerts and vessel monitoring. Although it primarily focuses on commercial vessels for the moment, I'm sure some of these solution will come to the private yachting market as well.
"It includes a Ship Security Alert System, which can transmit a distress message with a ship's longitude, latitude and the time of day. The alert system is designed as a defense against piracy, which is still a huge problem in some parts of the world, Romey said. MariTrack also has a Vessel Monitoring Service, to track ships' locations in specified waters. Not yet mandated but included in MariTrack is an automatic system that identifies ships as they approach one another, and a long-range system that tracks where ships have been since they left port."
SAIL Magazine highlights some new gear, amongst which a couple of new devices from Standard Horizon.
"Standard Horizon's RAM+ Mic becomes a full-function remote station unto itself when connected to the company's new Matrix or Quantum VHF radios. The Ram+ boasts all normal functions and one-button DSC distress calling, and it has advanced DSC functions like buddy calling, position polling, and nav-data display."
Some advice on how to choose, install and upgrade you boating electronics, from sonar units to marine batteries. The article focuses on anglers, but some of this advice is relevant to all boaters.
"The most frequent upgrade for fishermen is a new sonar unit. Like computer companies, every year makers of sonar fish-finding equipment introduce more colorful and feature-filled units. To make them work properly the position of the unit's transducer which sends out and receives a sonar signal to mark fish, the structure and the lake bottom below the boat must be exact."
