Navigational planning app enhances safety with thermal imaging feature

The popular NaviPlotter™ app for leisure sailors now features a thermal night-vision capability to keep yachtsmen even safer.

NaviPlotter™ is a route planning app for iOS, that includes digital charts and AIS data to help sailors plot a safe route quickly.

Nautisk, the Norwegian firm behind the app, believes the thermal imaging feature brings a new level of safety to leisure mariners at a fraction of the cost of existing night vision equipment.

“NaviPlotter™ already includes smart features using AIS data that allow you to identify sea and shore features such as shipping and navigation aids, bringing them to life with augmented reality,” explains Simon Gliddon, NaviPlotter product managerat the digital navigation business.

“By connecting a FLIR ONE camera to the app, users can also access the thermal imaging display in the augmented reality view. As well as spotting objects at distance, which allows you to safely navigate waters in the dark and fog, it also allows you to see and track crew who fall overboard, using their heat signature to guide you to them.”

NaviPlotter™ provides yachtsmen and boat owners with a way to access important voyage planning tools through a handheld device, including iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. It is iOS 11 compatible and the latest release also includes NMEA wind, depth and boat speed support to the instruments.

The sophisticated thermal imaging technology has been approved by thermal imaging specialist FLIR Systems. NaviPlotter™ is one of the first third-party apps in the world to be approved by FLIR for use with their new third-generation FLIR ONE AAMD Pro devices.

Simon adds: “We’re always innovating, finding new ways to use digital technology in the commercial shipping sector. This free app gives leisure mariners the confidence to be out on the water no matter what time of day, with some similar navigation capabilities to the software we offer to global shipping companies.”

NaviPlotter™ is available to download for free from the App Store. Top-ups for the app are available to access pro features and specialist charts. http://bit.ly/NaviPlotter

FLIR ONE thermal imaging camera is available from good retailers RRP $250.