At CRC we like to make sure our boats are completely up to date and fitted with the latest gadgets.
By far the most impressive bits of kit we use are the Garmin 7 series touch screen plotters. Acting as the main display on board, all the information from the engines, radar, sonar, GPS, AIS, VHF and surveillance cameras is displayed with stunning clarity. The Garmin modules also have built in Wi-Fi, which allows you to control the unit with your smart phone or tablet using the Garmin Helm app, something we find invaluable. This app also gives you the ability to record everything that is shown on screen, check out this video of us demonstration the app on board our Dive Support Vessel Tempest.
Garmin have developed a second app called Blue Chart Mobile, this app is good fun and very useful. Using the Blue Chart app, you can plot courses, create way points, and do just about anything you need to do when planning a trip, all from the comfort of your own home, then once you step on board and sync the devices together all of your data will be transferred across to the plotter.
Below is a screen grab taken from the Blue Chart app showing a course out of Portsmouth Harbour, this information is then uploaded on to the Garmin device and you’re ready to go.
