Anyone wishing to use their smartphone as a standalone tool for everyday life on board will soon find themselves faced with a jumble of different app providers. One app shows the weather, the next acts as an anchor watch or helps with navigation. Bluecruise is now set to combine these various functions into a single programme. The software is available in the Google Play Store Available for Android devices, with a version for Apple set to follow shortly. For an annual fee of 23.99 euros, the app offers an impressive range of features – at least on paper.
Multiple functions on a single platform
Bluecruise’s real strength lies in its systematic integration of data sources that would otherwise be managed separately. The home screen provides an overview of the current position, the planned route – including an integrated weather forecast for each waypoint – nearby harbours and other features. A fixed main menu at the bottom of the screen allows skippers to switch quickly between the core sections. The app is equipped with a range of features, from digital gimmicks to useful tools.
In addition to an automatic logbook, maintenance lists for on-board repairs and a GPS-based anchor watch with an SMS alert function, the developers state that a tool for creating 3D reconstructions of routes travelled is also available. A camera function with an integrated data overlay and a list of Scandinavian SOS emergency numbers are also included. According to the manufacturer, users can organise themselves into groups and communicate with one another via the ‘Connect’ tab. Furthermore, the data recorded is said to be automatically backed up to the cloud and synchronised across multiple devices simultaneously.
Measurement without an NMEA interface
A key difference compared with some established systems relates to the data source. Bluecruise does not have an NMEA interface and does not connect to the physical instruments on board. Position determination, as well as the measurement of speed over ground and heading, are handled by the GPS receiver in the smartphone. The developer has included a GPS alarm in case the connection to the GPS is lost.
Another interesting feature is the calculation of the individual performance profile. The app uses a statistical method for this. Bluecruise continuously compares the boat’s speed, measured via GPS, with weather data retrieved online. From this combination, the app creates a dataset designed to represent a statistical performance pattern of the boat over time. If this feature is accurate enough to, for example, provide reliable estimated arrival times for various waypoints when planning a route, it would be a useful tool for planning routes more effectively and better aligning them with the weather.
Questions about autorouting
In the paid Premium version, the app also offers an auto-routing function. However, it is not known what data this algorithm is based on, nor how the system is able to suggest automatic routes. According to the manufacturer, it does not use certified nautical charts. It stands to reason that the system uses open-source data in the background, such as OpenSeaMap draws on.
However, Bluecruise strongly recommends using the app only as a supplement to existing systems. The app cannot therefore replace reliable navigation systems such as those from Garmin or C-Map. Skippers can, however, set the waypoints for their route entirely manually, but should check these against official nautical charts.
Bluecruise: Costs and availability
The App is fully functional and has already undergone an intensive testing phase. Around 20 Danish testers put the system through its paces under real-world conditions prior to its release. Whilst certain test users receive free premium access, external users pay an annual subscription fee of €23.99 or €4.99 per month. This is a price that is certainly competitive, considering that you sometimes have to pay more just for a logbook or anchoring app on its own. It’s a good deal, provided the promised features actually work well.
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David Ingelfinger
Volontär
