Navigation is critical to ensuring superyacht safety, particularly when exploring unfamiliar or remote waters. With numerous tools available to assist captains and officers on the bridge, an all-in-one solution can significantly streamline operations. dsnm’s Compass software offers exactly that — a comprehensive suite of features designed to simplify and enhance navigation on board. Dockwalk highlights five essential tools within the Compass platform that every superyacht captain should know about.
1. Passage planning
First up is the Compass passage planning tool, an essential tool for optimizing route navigation. This feature offers a variety of functions to help superyacht captains and crew work together when planning their vessel's upcoming movements without being restricted to a specific PC or location onboard the vessel. Crew can create routes using a series of map layers, add waypoints as needed and overlay the passage with additional layers of pertinent planning-related information sources.
As a starting point, Compass allows routes to be plotted within or route files to be imported from another navigational application or Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). Routes can also be exported from Compass in various formats to be shared with other charting systems.
With a route loaded, Compass quickly and clearly provides route information, including total distance and estimated arrival times based on departure time along with a series of customizable planning settings, such as average cruising speed. These parameters can be fine-tuned for specific legs or waypoints where speed may vary, giving the crew full control over the voyage.
2. Weather reports
Next is the platform’s weather reporting functions. Included with all Compass subscriptions, the service is designed to deliver precise and real-time weather data from two advanced models: the Global Forecast System (GFS), which updates every three hours with a 0.25-degree resolution (28 kilometres at equator), and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), renowned for its accuracy, updating every three hours with a 0.125-degree resolution (14 kilometres at equator).
The weather and passage planning tools within Compass together allow crew to quickly overlay a series of weather forecast variables onto their upcoming passage in order to review and adjust routes as required based on the weather forecast data available at the time. Compass weather data, coupled with the passage planning tool, also allows for key points along a planned route to be highlighted and interrogated based on where a vessel's own weather parameters may be exceeded.
In addition to the above, crew can create customized weather reports from within Compass for a particular passage plan or chosen location, reports include user-selected weather graphs along with an AI-generated weather summary for the chosen forecast period, all of which can be easily printed, emailed and shared on board.
3. Chart layers
Chart layers provide users with multiple sources of worldwide navigational data to further enhance the passage planning process, all available via any PC or location on board the vessel, or even shoreside. Within Compass, chart coverage is powered by i4 Insight (formerly C-Map Professional+), offering unofficial, up-to-date navigation data, while Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) Online by NAVTOR provides a layer of chart information that has been sourced from official channels.
In addition to the chart data layers, the satellite layer offers a 3D terrain view within a passage planning tool, creating an immersive experience for the crew helping to visualize upcoming passages or exploring prospective anchorages.
Users can enhance their chart views with multiple overlays to gain additional information about specific areas in which a planned route may enter, such as MARPOL boundaries, Territorial Waters, Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs), Emission Control Areas (ECAs) and Special Areas.
Compass also includes a NAVAREA warning layer, covering all global coordinators. Whilst not designed to replace your official onboard means for NAVAREA warning collection, the delivery of this interactive NAVAREA information makes for identifying geographically relevant NAVAREA warnings quickly and easily.
In addition to officially recognized geographical areas, the Explore with Imray layer provides key points of interest based on geo-referenced data from the series of renowned cruising guides published by Imray - each point can be interrogated.
4. Passage plan reports
The Compass passage plan report is a well-laid-out document, collating all the passage-relevant information collected with the aforementioned route tools, information layers and weather forecasts.
All passage information is collated into one single document that can be used as part of an onboard passage plan approval process between crew members and easily shared onwards to external stakeholders as required.
5. A yacht navigation manager
Crew members across the industry highly value dsnm’s Yacht Manager, a personalized service where each yacht is assigned an experienced member of the team as a point of contact. This individual is responsible for understanding the unique needs of the vessel and tailoring dsnm’s services accordingly.
The Yacht Manager provides ongoing support to the crew, ensuring the yacht remains compliant with all necessary regulations. From handling new edition updates to offering advice and support throughout the journey, the Yacht Manager is a reliable point of contact for ensuring smooth operations on board.
To find out more about Compass software or to book a demo, contact the team at dsnm today.
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