Cruising
Association Releases First Mobile App
The Cruising Association (CA) has announced the launch of its very first App, the ‘CAptain’s Mate’, designed by the CA to increase accessibility of its worldwide cruising information.
Coined as ‘the swiss penknife of cruising Apps’, CAptain’s Mate functions by communicating with the CA’s MyCA website using a low-bandwidth protocol, allowing sailors around the world to view, share, and create first-hand location reports on harbours and anchorages across the world, on the move.
The App uses the mobile platform’s own internal GPS to identify location reports which are in the vicinity of the user, and presents them on an interactive map. Reports entered by the user are instantly transmitted to the MyCA website, for online users to view. If the mobile device is ‘offline’ reports are stored until communication is restored. All reports are visible through the App regardless of whether there is radio connection.
The sharing of cruising information has been the lifeblood of the CA since its formation in 1908. Originally members posted paper reports about their voyages to the CA Library, where they were collated and made available for other members to use. This service was later moved online, and the MyCA website now has over a thousand individual reports received from CA members located in all parts of the globe. President of the CA, Stuart Bradley, commented, "We are delighted our first App has passed all of Apple's tests and is now available online. At recent cruising seminars we found that over two thirds of our members are regularly using smart phones so it will be a valuable tool and encourage more contributions of up-to-date cruising information to add to the extensive, exclusive data we already hold."
The App is currently only available to CA members and can be downloaded free from the Apple Store. Members wanting to download the App will need to have an account on MyCA to enable it.
Currently the App is compatible with the iPhone and iPad, and the CA has plans underway to ensure compatibility with other mobile platforms.
For all enquiries regarding the App please email captains.mate@cruising.org.uk.
We hope you enjoy using it!
CA House