Why You Need A Cat Phone On Your Sailing Adventures

When you are in the hands of the elements, it’s critical that your equipment is up to the job. The crew onboard is a family. Each member plays an important role to keep everyone else safe and happy. Having the right, reliable equipment onboard is just as essential.

So, have you considered the role your phone can play in safety at sea? The thermal imaging capabilities of the Cat® S60 Smartphone or the long battery life of the Cat® S41 Smartphone are both useful tools at sea for navigation, repairs, rescue and much more!

Using thermal imaging at sea

Thermal imaging camera (FLIR) technology is already a much used and respected piece of equipment at sea. Particularly for spotting submerged objects in the water and navigating through poor visibility or at night.

It is normally a very expensive piece of standalone equipment installed on larger vessels. However, as a world 1st, this thermal imaging technology has been integrated into the Cat S60 providing this powerful capability in the palm of your hand and for a fraction of the cost.

Rescues

Thermal imaging is particularly useful for a MOB (Man Overboard) situation, which is one of the most common causes of death at sea.

It is virtually impossible to spot a body in the water, especially in poor visibility or in rough seas. The Cat S60’s thermal imaging can pick up a heat signature, allowing the person to be located in the water. Your trusty stead in hand will battle through all the elements, rain, sleet snow and sea water.

Monitoring equipment

Thermal imaging is also very useful for spotting machinery on board that is overheating, eg engines. Spotting a fault or problem early can help you bring it under control quicker and more easily.

Watch Systems

 

At sea, watch systems are adopted to keep a safe, functioning boat as deliveries from one location to the next can take weeks and there’s no parking in the middle of the ocean. So, a reliable and long-lasting battery life for alarms are an important tool.

Meet then the Cat S41, which comes with an extremely powerful battery (5,000mAh).

I used this on my recent sailing trip to track our position on a downloaded navigational chart.

Having a clear vision and awareness of your surroundings whilst at sea is imperative and could be the difference between life and death.  An integrated Red-Light filter on the phone enables clear vision at night, as it has less effect on your retinas as opposed to a bright light.

Surviving the Elements

I recently assisted on a yacht delivery from Barcelona to Malta. En-route my Cat S60 lived up to its rugged credentials. It withstood the continuous salt mist spray and survived the soaring +55°C degree heat, when I left if completely unattended on deck – it didn’t even break a sweat!

A ship’s log must be kept and is a legal piece of documentation in the event of something going wrong, which includes the Latitude and longitude i.e. Location of the yacht, as well as distance travelled, engine RPM etc.

A Barometer (Atmospheric pressure Measure) shows a change in the weather and Compass are featured on the phone which are required to be logged.

Using the S60 in The Clipper Race

Andy Burns, my friend and avid user of Cat Phones, was selected to be the Great Britain Yacht’s Skipper in the Clipper Race*

The Clipper Race is one of the Biggest Challenges of the Natural World and an endurance test like no other. With no previous sailing experience necessary, it’s a record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht.

Normally the domain of seasonal pros, this supreme challenge is taken on by ordinary, everyday people. An unparalleled challenge where taxi drivers rub shoulders with chief executives, vicars mix with housewives, students work alongside bankers and engineers team up with rugby players.

Andy is the perfect candidate to put the S60 through its paces as he sails around the world and undergo treacherous conditions.  In fact, all the skippers onboard use Cat Phones!  As well as Volvo Ocean Winners. Follow how the teams are doing here.

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