Navigation and Communication

21st Century Marine Network Standard NMEA 2000

The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 2000 Marine Network Standard is a big enabling factor driving the ongoing trend toward onboard networking of electronic systems

by Fredrick Gary Hareland

The myths of Orion

by David Berson

Reducing radio noise and interference

How often have you heard a voyager complain that every time they try to use their SSB, it kills their autopilot?

Story and photos by Jeff Williams

Electronics standards: The old and the new

This summer two announcements by the National Marine Electronics Association highlighted the ways that the marine electronics field is like many of the boaters it serves: it has a fondness for the latest technology yet with a deep conservatism in not wanting to change what works

By Tim Queeney

Electronic nerve center

Ocean and coastal sailors alike frequently find ourselves “on watch” short-handed or alone. We’re routinely forced to manage the vessel underway during periods of low-visibility, high traffic, etc. — situations that strain the attention of even the most experienced sailors.

By Paul Exner

Race tracking and talking

For race committees and family and friends on shore, tracking and communicating with boats in an ocean race has certainly evolved. It the past, boats would leave soundings and largely disappear until reaching the finish line

By Tim Queeney

Still holding its own

HF radio continues to enjoy a dominant position in offshore communications within the cruising community.

by Jeff Williams

Professional radar, poor visibility

Voyagers usually over estimate big ships’ ability to detect recreational boats on radar

by Philip G. Gallman

Voyaging communications report: Carina

Efficient communications have been essential for the management of our cruise and to maintain our safety

by Philip DiNuovo and Leslie Linkkila

Communications convergence

Chartplotters have morphed into multifunction displays (MFDs) and become veritable command centers for the whole boat in a process called “convergence”

by Ev Collier