Lightning
Finder
Is there
anything more frightening than being out on the water when the rain is
hammering down and there’s lightning and thunder in the air? Many years ago,
the strategy would be to cross the fingers and hope for the best. These days,
boaters have Lightning Finder which shows all lightning strikes in the
vicinity.
When was the
last strike and how close are you? For under $6 per year, you can even set up
text alerts so you’re always ahead of the lightning.
Boat
Ramps
Across the US,
Boat Ramps now has the exact location of more than 35,000 ramps so it’s the
only tool you need in this regard. Within seconds, you’ll locate nearby ramps
before then setting a guide to access it with the quickest route.
ColRegs:
Rules of the Road
For those
looking for boating apps to help while they learn and gain experience, this is
one of the best. Just as the name suggests, it provides information on right of
way, preventing a collision, identifying boats, checking the International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS), and more.
When you first
visit the app, you’ll notice it has been separated into four different
sections;
- Navigation
Rules – This shows
graphics and information for steering and sailing. - Signals – You’ll find information
regarding light and sound signals on the water. - ColRegs – A copy of sound and light
signals, steering and sailing rules, and Annex IV distress signals. - Test – Finally, you can see how much
you’ve learned and take a knowledge test.
iFlashlight
and Morse
Simple yet
potentially life-saving, this app uses the torch on your iPad, iPod touch, or
iPhone to send a message via Morse code. The Coast Guard recently announced
that smartphone S.O.S. had contributed to its first boating accident rescue,
and this trend could well continue.
TrackaShip
There are a few
boating apps that provide a full view of the water and what can be found
nearby, but we believe TrackaShip to be the best. On the map, you’ll see nearby
ships, their course, destination, speed, and lots of other details.
If you’re on
the water, you can quickly assess the distance between yourself and other ships
as well as taking advantage of the built-in direction vector and compass. If
you download the free version of the app, you’ll get an insight into how it
works and whether your area is covered before investing any money.
At this point,
we should note that boating apps should never be a replacement of the proper
maritime instruments.
The
Knot Bible
Do you know how
to tie nautical knots? If not, now’s the time to learn and The Knot Bible is a
great place to start with 50 on offer. As well as pictures and step-by-step
instructions for each, you’ll find;
- Descriptions.
- The
most ‘useful’ knots. - Bends
– Including the Carrick bend and rigger’s bend. - Hitches
– More than 30 ways to attach a rope to stationary objects. - Loops
– Brilliant loops for ropes. - Knot
Scores – An ultimate score for each knot depending on security, strength, ease
of use, ease of untying, and other factors.
ColRegs:
Nav Lights and Shapes
Next, we come
back to ColRegs and another opportunity for boaters to identify nearby boats.
It offers quick identification of vessels during the day but comes alive at
night or when visibility is poor (using the boat’s nav lights configuration).
Just like the
first ColRegs app, it has four sections;
- Nav
Lights – In
darkness and in poor visibility, boats will display different lights, and this
is the theme for the first section. - Day
Shapes – This
shows what to look for with the shape of boats during the day. - Test – After learning, put your
knowledge to the test with this third feature. - ColRegs – In this last section, you’ll
find Part C: Lights and Shapes from the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS).
Safe
Skipper
For boaters,
remaining safe on the water has to be the first priority and this is where Safe
Skipper comes in. As well as covering all the essential topics, you don’t have
to pay a cent to get started.
What will you
learn? Firstly, how you can check the engine, weather, tides, and other areas
before launching. Then, it’ll move into passage planning, conducting a safety
briefing, and the equipment you need on board including lifejackets, first aid
kits, equipment checklists, tool kit, flares, and a life raft. Finally, you’ll
learn how to deal with emergencies from a fire to a hole in the hull.
First
Aid at Sea
In our
penultimate app for boaters, we have another that does exactly as it says.
Written by doctors who have spent time on the water, you have a fantastic
resource to deal with poisoning, broken bones, CPR, cuts, and more. As you’ll
learn, the priority is always to preserve life before then communicating with
emergency services, relieving the pain, and getting back to land where the
injured can be treated properly.
How
to Pass the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) Test
In much of
Europe, captains visiting the waters will need to hold an ICC license and this
app will inform you of important regulations and how to pass the test so you
can explore the world.
The
Injury Firm
If you’ve been involved in a boating accident or have
been injured as a result of the negligence of somebody on the water, please get
in touch today. At The Injury Firm, we have the experience and knowledge to
handle your case in the right way and obtain the compensation you deserve. Get
the conversation started today!
