Recreational Boating

Recreational boaters often navigate without information and the tools critical to their safety. Through new technologies, these tools are available for on-board laptop computers, in an easy-to-use compact format.

• Between 1970 and 1993, the number of recreational boats owned by Americans nearly doubled - from 8.8 million to 16.5 million. This increase in the number of mariners who navigate in areas not frequented by commercial shippers or the military has heightened the need for modern navigational services and new charts.
• Although the number of fatalities from recreational boating has decreased over the last thirty years, accidents and injuries have steadily climbed, and the reported property damages have increased sevenfold to $35 million. Electronic navigational technologies will help yachtsmen safeguard their lives and their investments.

New technologies can help recreational boaters navigate safely by providing up-to-date nautical charts, electronic charts and GPS positioning information. With electronic chart software that can run on laptop computers, all necessary navigational information is available in one easy-to-use, compact format that shows shoreside features and services.

What are these technologies?