|
|
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
From: Capt. D.E. Morehouse (no email)
Date: Fri Nov 21 2003 - 11:33:24 EST
Relative to longevity of computer systems in use aboard sea-going vessels;
the complexity of such arrays;
and the maintenance/replacement logistics;
as well as onboard communications design.
My experience has been this...
In 1999, I began using the PC as a navigational
accessory...as well as a basis for communication.
Communication via HF SSB and a variety of sea-mail
applications allowed nearly unlimited and very cost
effective e-mail transmission and reception.
I note that HF SSB (e-mail) is most often the system chosen
by sailors whose itinerary has them running well offshore
of US coastal areas frequently... that is to say; those sailors
who have budget limitations.
Aboard DreamChaser (62' Ketch) I employed both HF SSB
systems and an interface with a Sprint cell system which allowed
direct Internet access within 20-25nm offshore throughout most
southern coastal areas. This was a most effective, user friendly,
and cost effective methodology (relatively speaking).....
I was able to gain access to weather such as NOAA and NASA,
download satellite imagery, front pattern predictions, and so on....
virtually every sophisticated tool was available to me at a moment's
notice 24/7.... e-mail and .jpeg transfer easily accomplished.
Most interestingly; with a high degree of ease, responsiveness to
prevalent conditions, adaptability (in terms of location of the unit[s],
and consistency in data retrieval or transmission.
I used this system exclusive of all others for 24 months......
Without a hitch.
Budget? $2500/year (all onboard communications related systems
re: maintenance and/or billing). The budget was never exceeded.
Just prior to departing from any 20 mile offshore limit... my last downloads
would take place and all data would be printed out for ease of reference...
these then posted at the nav/weather station. After clearing say, the 50 mile
limit, the HF SSB would then supplant the Web based system.
There was very little question to anyone that my method was not only exceedingly
accurate, but that it was consistent and invaluable insofar as safe operation of
this private ocean-going pleasure yacht was concerned.
Within roughly 20 minutes a complete five day chart/plot/weather data/tide/celestial
could be placed in floppy or hardcopy in the hands of anyone who so desired it.
In berth or underway.
As her captain, I was most often faced with the task of sailing, as well as navigating
without any crew, other than lay help from the occasional guest aboard...... usually
for hundreds of miles at a stint, and during races and gales.... reef runs...etc..
The system I designed facilitated the "singlehanded" sailing capabilities and surely
exceeded even the ease of the pencil/paperchart/divider/parallel rule.......
and? ~ the durability of also.
Primary nav station was at the helm (Garmin 225)the secondary at the nav-station below, (Garmin 48), and the tertiary forward in crew quarters (Garmin 75). I designed all three
nav stations to be independent of one another; also with three separate antenna locations, (one main, one mizzen, and one which was a mushroom antenna mounted
within a dorade area..... this one I designed so that in the event of a dismasting or broach in severe seas or "turtle capsize", the vessel would maintain her ability to receive lat/long
position co-ordinates for emergency navigation to safe harbour. Two other emergency handhelds were kept in separate locations as emergency backup... as well as another
stationary unit mounted in the primary yacht tender.
Overkill? Wait.....
In the main salon was my Toshiba Satellite 2775XDVD laptop, with printer, scanner,
and its own dedicated inverter for independent power source backup.
This then was interfaced with my Radar, and Autopilot...... as well as the Garmin 225.
All three nav stations had interface cables ready to allow quick-connect to the Toshiba if and/or when necessary. In the salon nav-station I had remote autopilot controls so as to be able to steer manually (so to speak) as well as interface with the Nobeltec for auto-con capability. Actual steering of the vessel would take place at times from the salon nav-station and entirely with the computer keyboard!
Just like those monster Ro-Ro's, Break Bulks, and Tankers..... which ply the shipping
lanes.
For two entire years, during which 6-8 months of continual cruising per year took place,
many races, several full gales at sea, many many wild brewhaha parties and debacles aboard, uncounted unfriendly climate considerations ranging from extreme heat...100F
to extreme cold 30F, and even during a dirty filthy dust-a-flyin four month refit......
the infamous attack by cannon of Miamarina Bayside and the capture of the Hard
Rock Cafe (most notably that damn big guitar!)........
This system never glitched, failed, hesitated nor lost accuracy. Never once.
Oh, and the Toshiba changed hats frequently to play (through interface to the ship's TV screen) as a DVD movie theater. G, PG, R, and XXX !!!
After the close of the second year of cruising the Toshiba was then interfaced with the onboard LORAN and GPS systems of an 88 ton Trawler, which then became an active
commercial vessel in the Florida fleet, this vessel (USCG inspected for unlimited offshore
application employed the system exclusively for all shipboard navigation and most effectively for the pinpoint accuracy requisite to the trawling of the seabed in anywhere
from 7 to 17 fathoms. Pinpoint indeed! Tracks 16-20nm in length and reverse tracks
laid within mere yards of the original........ imagine a cornfield, and the "combine"
which works it's way back and forth..... then add 15 some miles to the length of the field.
Never a glitch.... in nearly a year..... and? In the commercial environment this laptop/desktop/interface/software chart-plot array was commonplace.
Nothing really unusual or unique about it.
Not an option, rather standard equipment.
Furuno LP1000 the choice of all in LORAN, all vector chart/plot software
systems and GPS interfaces limited to say....three manufacturers.
Next this very same Toshiba laptop, and its two GPS (48 & 75 Garmin)
spent a year trekking from vessel to vessel, itinerary to itinerary, aboard various
vessels in various locations.
The most recently complex task it was asked to perform was a complete chart/plot
including fuel, provision, ETA's and transit times for a sailing vessel bound from
San Francisco south to 06N and through the Panama Canal into Belize and past
the Yucatan to Chandeleur Sound....Louisiana. Some near 6000nm.......
I was able to accomplish the entire task, including the uploading of all waypoints,
into the GPS for immediate departure if necessary....within 8 hours actual keyboard
time.
This same, now rather obsolete, Windows 98 operating system Toshiba......
although top of the line in 1999..... continues to remain fully functional and displays
no indication of impending doom. (knock on wood).
Unlike many such accessory devices aboard sea-craft....which continue to escalate
in price to the consumer, the PC market continually and effectively reduces the price of while enhancing the quality and performance of....... these very same laptops.
Thus the heart of the system is never in need of a mega buck transplant.
To this very moment I: as I key this from the main salon of Makari Revenant,
with only what fits in one leather computer shoulder bag, would easily be able
to lay in all chart/plots to go almost anywhere in the world, and then step aboard
almost any vessel.... and independent of all shipboard nav-systems..... casting
all lines free..... within just hours.....successfully con such to the chosen destination.
That, to me is quite amazing.
Which is why I continue to use it.
I like hot-rods!
Now..... while I do not "sell" or represent Nobeltec
or Toshiba, or Garmin for that matter ~
I would be perfectly willing to grab my nav-bag,
step over your caprail and demonstrate this concept....
Yet, be forewarned..... we may find ourselves assuredly
and most expectedly within the grip immediately of~~~~~>
Steep Seas & Howlin'Gales~
Admiral SeaWolf
Sloop Makari Revenant
N24 33.7 / W81 43.5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark
Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada.
http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511
http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/A1TolB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|