InTheBite

New iPhone SOS Emergency Feature is Great for Boaters

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Do not abandon your EPIRB or PLB yet, they are still the best way to sed an SOS in an emergency at sea (or land too). The EPIRB is waterproof, automatic and is required by design to transmit a rescue signal for a minimum of 24 hours at full power while floating on the water or onboard a boat, life raft, etc. There is no fee to use an EPIRB and no subscription. It is an official worldwide service operated by governments and international rescue authorities.

The newest Apple iPhone 14 was recently introduced and, as usual, has many improvements over the previous models. While many of us do not go out and buy a new iPhone just because a new model is available, this time boaters may want to rethink. The iPhone 14 has a Satellite SOS feature that could work in a boating emergency! Apple added an impressive feature called Emergency SOS via satellite connectivity to its all-new iPhone 14 lineup.

What Is Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhone 14 Series?

There are many regions where cellular towers cannot be reached. Connectivity in these areas can be achieved by communication satellites, hundreds of miles above the Earth. However, limited bandwidth is a major challenge, making it difficult to even send a text message or make a call. To overcome this, traditional satellite phones feature advanced technology, leading to bulky form factor and large external antennas as compared to a sleek and compact smartphone.

With the new iPhone 14, if you are outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage and cannot connect to cellular emergency SOS services, your iPhone AUTOMATICALLY attempts to connect you to the required assistance through a satellite connection. This built-in service shows where to point your phone to establish a satellite connection and how to stay connected as the satellite moves during the message transmission and dialogue with rescue authorities.

Because the bandwidth of iPhone to satellite connection is not capable of standard messaging protocols (SMS), Apple created a custom short text compression algorithm to reduce the size of messages to one-third of the actual data size. A satellite text message may take 15 seconds to a minute to be sent in perfect conditions with a direct view of the sky. This satellite feature is currently ONLY for specialized text messages to a Apple rescue center. Voice phone calls using satellite connection are not available nor are traditional texting to friends using the satellite connection.

What happens once the Apple rescue center receives your SOS?

Once Apple receives the SOS information, they relay your SOS to the appropriate emergency services. Once you are connected to them, you can start a text conversation with emergency responders by sharing your Medical ID and emergency contact information, along with the emergency questionnaire answers. Additionally, your location details and remaining battery percentage can also be shared to authorities.

Supported iPhones and Regions for iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite

While this feature is a powerful addition to the iPhone, its availability is subject to a few conditions. Here is the official information that Apple has provided but may change as the system matures:

Supported Devices: An iPhone 14 or later running the latest iOS 16 update. (Exception: If you purchased iPhone 14 in China mainland, Hong
Kong, or Macao, you will not have access to the feature)

Supported Regions: The U.S. and Canada (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) as well as international travelers visiting the U.S. and Canada could use Emergency SOS via satellite, except if they bought their phone in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao.

Exceptions: Emergency SOS via Satellite is not available in: Guam or American Samoa and Places above 62° latitude like northern parts of Alaska. This satellite service is provided by Globalstar, a familiar name with boaters.

Sadly, you cannot use the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature right away. It will be available in November 2022 with an iOS 16 software update. Moreover, this is a premium service. But the good news is that iPhone 14 users can access it for free for the first two years.

Business-minded boaters will be interested to learn that Apple is investing in Globalstar by covering 95% of the capital expenditures made by Globalstar to build up its network, including new satellites, to provide the service. Apple will require Globalstar to allocate 85% of its “current and future network capacity” to support the SOS service. It looks like Apple is in the satellite business for the long haul.

This new iPhone SOS feature might just be the reason to upgrade your smartphone, though do not give up on your trusty EPIRB!

The 24-Hour First Mate: Boat Monitoring Technology

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A dock at night lit by the light from a ship's tower.
By Steve Katz

Don’t you wish you had a mate who could work 24 hours a day without tiring, in all conditions, checking on the boat and all its systems, for little pay? Well, with today’s advanced electronic remote boat monitoring and managing systems, you can have all of this and more, and let your mate get back to rigging ballyhoo!

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Walker AIRSEP® Launches NEW Thunderdome™ Air Filter

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We’ve kept it QUIET long Enough…

Walker AIRSEP® Launches NEW Thunderdome™ Silenced Air Filters.

The AIRSEP closed crankcase systems has helped to keep bilges clean from oil leaks, and free from noxious crankcase fumes for years. The system has continued to evolve with new sound mitigation technology to help reduce turbo whine, and improve vessel comfort, especially on longer cruises or trips out to the fishing grounds.

Walker first embarked on the quest to reduce diesel engine intake noise with the introduction of the Everquiet™ Air Filter Silencer over 15 years ago. A “drop in” replacement for most stock air filters, the Everquiet unit was perfect for engines already equipped with a factory CCV system, and delivered excellent results when retrofitted to DDC, MTU, Caterpillar, MAN, Cummins, Yanmar, Scania, and other engines. It is a top seller today and found on sportfishing vessels, military vessels, patrol craft, Coast Guard, and pilot boats worldwide.

Typical Sound Reduction Comparison

In true Walker fashion, the small team located just outside of Los Angeles continues to raise the bar, and when Cummins launched the QSB 6.7 engine, Walker complemented the package with the it’s NEW QT Series product line. A high performance air filter silencer that applied the latest in sound reduction technology and construction, to further improve sound mitigation for diesel engine turbochargers. The system is still included today as standard factory equipment.

Cummins QSB 6.7 Engine

Fast forward to 2022 where Walker will now offer the Thunderdome™ Air Filter as a retrofit upgrade for any CCE AIRSEP. The air filter known for it’s characteristic “dome” endcap mitigates high pitched sound at the most bothersome frequency. The new filters are available in 8”, 10” and 12” diameters, and typically run about 1-2” shorter handling the same air flow, while greatly reduce bothersome turbo whine, guaranteed.

Thunderdome™ Silenced Air Filters

The Walker CCE AIRSEP is identified by it’s V-Band clamp attaching the air filter element to the black AIRSEP body.  These AIRSEP units are commonly found on Caterpillar® C30 & C32 engines, Cummins Marine Engines, and other brands of marine engines equipped with Walker CCE AIRSEPS or Everquiet Silencer units. Older AIRSEP units that use springs to attach the air filter, are not compatible.

The filters will be available mid-May 2022, on the Walker AIRSEP Superstore and have a premium price of about 20-30% when compared to the cost for the standard replacement air filter element, but well worth the investment. Want to be the first to get these upgraded filters? Send an email with “THUNDERDOME” in the subject line, and we’ll get you on the list.

(818) 252-7788    sales@walkerairsep.com

Walker Superstore: https://walker-airsep-superstore.myshopify.com/

Walker Thunderdome™ Air Filters-Two sounds enter…one sound leaves.

 

On the Waves of Change

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boat technology on the water

By Captain Kevin Deerman

Two things constantly changing our industry are technology and innovation. Fishing will always be fishing, but with all of the advancements there are many more crews traveling farther, faster and more comfortably and easily than ever before.

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The New Raymarine Cyclone—Designed to Find Fish Faster

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Raymarine has changed the marine radar game again with the new Cyclone solid-state open array. Finding fish has never been easier, and a radar array has never performed so well or looked so good. With its ultimate expression of design, rugged performance, and unmatched situational awareness, Cyclone gives mariners the confidence to tackle the harshest conditions, gain the upper hand in the hunt for fish, and navigate busy waterways with confidence.

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Q & A with Craig Cushman from Airmar

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Craig Cushman, director of marketing at Airmar, sits down to talk about Chirp-Ready Transducers and how this technology changes the tournament fishing scene. See how Airmar uses a high wide, high, medium and low transducer to give anglers the most coverage, from concentrating on smaller areas to focusing on depth performance. Learn more at airmar.com.

Headed to the Miami International Boat Show? Stop by the Airmar booth: MB3614

Honda Marine Unveils New Smartphone Application

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Honda Marine_HondaLink Marine App_Lifestyle Photo

Tampa, FLA., September 28, 2021—At the International BoatBuilders Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), a highly focused marine technology trade show dedicated to advancing the business of boating, Honda Marine unveiled HondaLink® Marine, putting smart boating into the hands of boat owners. The new, integrated smartphone application provides owners with complete, remote monitoring capability and ownership information for boats anytime from anywhere.

Honda Marine is the first marine outboard manufacturer to offer its own comprehensive, connected services boat management app, useable, compatible and customizable with any boat size powered by National Marine Electronics Association  (NMEA) 2000® certified engines. This accreditation verifies that a product has been tested to meet specific critical safety criteria and to correctly implement network management and messaging. NMEA developed this open architecture electronic protocol to allow engine data to interface with a wide variety of name brand marine electronics that monitor wind instruments, depth sounders, navigation instruments, engine instruments, and nautical chart plotters, for example. 

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Airmar Announces New SmartBoat System

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Airmae SmartBoat System

MILFORD, NH. (September 23, 2021)—AIRMAR®Technology Corporation, a world leader in ultrasonic transducers and Chirp technology, is pleased to introduce their new SmartBoat® system, a groundbreaking vessel-management solution for all marine-sensor protocols and network types. The NMEA 2000® certified SmartBoat system offers a highly configurable sensor interface, supports a wide range of sensors and protocols, and provides remote discovery, management, programming, and wireless features. These unprecedented capabilities significantly reduce the equipment, protocol-conversion devices, cabling, complexity, and labor costs associated with conventional networking products, saving thousands on every install.

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What’s New at ICAST 2021

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It’s been two years since the last ICAST brought industry professionals together to get a firsthand look at the advancements in the sportfishing world. From July 20 to July 23, companies and brands showcased the latest and greatest products for both fresh and saltwater anglers. We’ve highlighted some new, innovative and just plain interesting products that were on display at this year’s event.

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