PC Maritime introduces Navmaster Pilot package
PC Maritime, a member of the Charente Group, has introduced the Navmaster Pilot – a simple-to-use portable electronic chart system based on Type Approved Navmaster ECDIS software with additional features to assist pilots. Navmaster Pilot provides software and wireless interfacing so that a pilot can connect his own laptop to a ship’s AIS within minutes of arriving onboard a vessel. There is no need for cables as communications between the laptop and the ship’s AIS pilot plug are wireless.
Navmaster Pilot allows for the automatic download of a ship’s dimensions from the AIS system, as well as automatic position monitoring (from AIS and/or GPS) and route and passage planning information. Other benefits include real-time official tidal height and stream by means of interfacing with Admiralty TotalTide and Proudman Tidal Stream, multiple chart format compatibility and online chart updating. The Navmaster Pilot can also utilise Bluetooth GPS for back-up input, so if the primary input fails, Navmaster automatically switches to the back-up.
The system has been extensively tested by UK deep sea pilots, and the test results reported in The Pilot magazine. Feedback from the piloting community has also been positive.
“The system works together excellently and is user-friendly. I can certainly recommend this system to anyone intending to go electronic. PC Maritime have been extremely helpful in the initial set-up and fine-tuning of the system,” said Captain Andrew Ward, UK deep sea pilot.