We hope you have enjoyed this insight into the latest technology for marine navigation. No longer the domain of large ships and major shipping companies, electronic navigation is gradually spreading to the leisure market, and the outlays required are becoming less and less as the technology improves.

This does not mean that the traditional methods of navigation need not be mastered, since the proven accuracy of the paper chart, and basic navigation tools will always attract the navigator who prefers more traditional methods.

Nevertheless, as more and more smaller vessels equip themselves with the necessary hardware, the demand for comprehensive software and charts will continue to grow, and nautical colleges and further education establishments will have to think seriously about including the technology as part of their curriculum. RYA qualifications will undoubtedly include at some not-too-distant time in the future a module related to electronic navigation in all it’s aspects in order to reflect the changing technology.

We welcome your questions and will be pleased to help.