• Voyager 7 navigation software has been developed with one primary focus, to make mariners’ lives easier on the bridge.
• It has a more intuitive user interface, making navigational compliance and route planning simpler and more efficient than ever before.

Global Navigation Solutions (‘GNS’), the maritime services group, today launches a new version of Voyager, its navigation software solution. Voyager 7 has been simplified and streamlined, [using extensive customer feedback] to enhance the overall user experience, giving greater confidence to mariners regarding their navigational compliance issues and simplifying route planning using ENCs and digital publications.

Key Features of Voyager 7 include:

• Intuitive user interface to enable key tasks to be completed in just a few clicks
• Automated reminder to update charts and publications
• Simplified route planning functionality
• Faster installation and choice of format – DVD, USB and web download
• Synchronisation with Voyager Management Service (VMS) to make shore based navigation management easier

Voyager 7 continues to build on the GNS tablet style interface first launched in June 2015. A new home page presents a list of the most frequently used Voyager tools with options to add more. Tasks requiring action, like chart updates that need to be downloaded and applied, are also displayed and can be carried out with just a few mouse clicks. New functionality has been included to easily manage ENC permits, cells and updates including the ability to receive ordered permits by return through our Voyager Instant Permit service (VIP).

Voyager’s route planning component has also been further simplified to help reduce the risk of errors, whilst at the same time enabling officers to plan voyages using ENCs, and to take into account complex weather and tidal conditions and to maximise fuel efficiency. Voyager 7 will also automatically check vessel holdings of charts and highlight missing information that needs to be ordered or updated to ensure a safe and compliant passage.

Mike Bailey, one of GNS’s Master Mariners commented; “The primary goal for Voyager 7 is to make life easier for crews on board, save them time and further minimise navigation-related observations and detentions. We want to offer customers a better way to get to where they’re going, and Voyager 7 does exactly that.”

GNS Chief Information Officer, Phil Stothard added; “During development we analysed the number of clicks and time spent to complete individual tasks, such as route planning and maintaining corrections. The results allowed us to implement significant opportunities to improve bridge team efficiency. The feedback we’ve had so far from mariners has been phenomenal”.

In addition to this new and enhanced functionality, customers now have the option to receive and install Voyager on DVD, USB or as a web download. Barrie Wilson, Head of Development added, “Giving the customer the opportunity to choose the format which works for them is all part of the GNS ethos of giving the customer what they want in the way that they want it.

As with previous versions, Voyager 7 works in conjunction with the GNS web-based Voyager Management Service (VMS), giving shore-based teams’ full visibility of vessel inventories and correction logs, so Ship Managers and Fleet Superintendents can ensure their fleets are fully compliant and ready for inspection at all times.