Industry News
GARMIN
Garmin have announced the latest marine software update. This includes chart data as well as enhancements to software for radar brightness, sailing features and expanded transducer support.
ADMIRALTY Digital Sailing Directions
If you are already part of the Beta trial, please update your software using the link below to ensure you are running the most recent version.
If you are not yet involved but would like to take part, there is still time to join. Simply click the link below to log in and download the ADSD 0.7 Beta software.
The Beta trial will remain open until 31 March 2026.
Please click here to access the update
9 January 2026
Next‑Gen Navigation: S‑101 ENCs Are Coming
S‑101 will be the new standard for Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), built on the IHO’s S‑100 framework. It will replace the older S‑57 ENCs, delivering richer data, smarter navigation and greater precision for the maritime industry.
Key Benefits:
- Enhanced Accuracy: Navigate with confidence using the most up-to-date chart data
- Modernised Features: Cleaner, smarter charts with improved text placement and buoy display
- Future Ready: S‑101 ENCs are designed for integration with next-generation navigation systems
Removal of Schedule A PDFs
Further to the announcement from UKHO, they will no longer provide Schedule A PDFs for any vessels operating PAYS.
BA Boards
During recent visits to conduct onboard crew fire training, while witnessing drills, we have observed crew leaving tallies on the BA sets when the BA team are on air. As a reminder, tallies MUST be transferred to the BA board when the team are on air. Once they emerge and come off-air, the tally must be clipped back on the BA set. The BA board is a legal document and must be completed correctly.
Contact us for clarification if required.
Onboard Training
Onboard training brings real world learning to your vessel, using your crew and your equipment in your environment. Hands-on training makes all the difference when it comes to safety and performance at sea.
Our diary is already filling for the Spring with vessels requesting our trainers to review and enhance the crew capabilities with respect to firefighting and navigation. Training is tailored specific to each vessel and with constant positive feedback demonstrates the changes it makes to the safety of everyone onboard. Contact us to discuss what we can do for you.
PILOT TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS
IMO MSC 110 adopted amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 with regards to the transfer arrangements of pilots. Dates have been laid down but more importantly, yachts are not exempt.
New builds and refits are strongly advised to be up-to-speed on the latest regulations. All crew should be familiar with the guidance as pilots will have greater powers to refuse transfers if they feel doing so is unsafe.
The image shows exactly how it is NOT to be conducted.
The latest advice poster from the UK Maritime Pilots Association is linked here
Weekly Updates – A mindset change
With emerging technology and the move to ‘as-and-when’ updates from Hydrographic Offices, navigators need not always rely on requesting official ENC weekly updates on a Friday. It is more effective to request updates prior to route planning, prior to route execution and then regularly during the passage.
6 November 2025
E-Books - AVAILABLE NOW
After many enquiries regarding digital TSO publications, Witherbys are now able to sell these top two essential titles which can be viewed on their Witherby Connect portal:
Code of Safe Working Practices
Ship Captain's Medical Guide
Please contact info@dgmaritime.com or your account manager at DG Maritime if you would like these digital copies.
SEAS THE DAY - Pacific row - More than 7500 miles rowed!
More than 150 days and over 7000 miles at sea, they are now on the final stretch, and expected to arrive in to Cairns within the next week to 10 days.
September brought some great respite from the dreaded freeze-dried food having landed a 40kg yellow fin tuna on their hand line.
Jess and Mims are so close to their target of £50,000. If you’d like to cheer them on and support this amazing cause, please consider donating here.
We are unbelievably proud of these ladies!. Let’s help them finish strong, both on the ocean and for Outward Bound UK. 💛
If you're near the eastern coast of Australia, swing by to say hello and offer moral support. You can track their progress via their website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
September has been a busy month for Da Gama Maritime
From the stage at the Monaco Yacht Club (MYC), our MD, Steve Monk, had the privilege of moderating the Captains Forum at #MYS2025, focusing on CPD (Continued Professional Development) training. An honour to be asked, but more importantly, a chance to keep crew training and safety at the heart of industry discussions. You can watch the forum at this link. (filmed by Yacht Club de Monaco).
Watch this space as we hope to be announcing further webinars in collaboration with the MYC and generating centres of excellence for further CPD training.
6 October 2025
New Editions
The next new edition of the ADMIRALTY Information Overlay (v33.0) will be released on 9 October, Week 41/2025.
As new editions are published approximately every 90 weeks, this release will result in a larger-than-usual download size for users accessing the weekly file.
Please allow additional time for the transfer to complete.
ITU List IV
This publication is essential for maritime radiocommunications, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). A new edition is expected in the 4th Quarter of 2025.
IAMSAR Volume III
This publication is mandated under most Flag States and is published as a new edition every three years. The next is forecast for release in October / November 2025.
SEAS THE DAY - Pacific row - More than 6000 miles rowed!
What an incredible month it has been for the Seas The Day crew. By the time you read this, they will have rowed more than 6,000 miles and spent over 120 days at sea – a truly remarkable milestone in their journey.
This past week has brought a wave of well-deserved media attention, shining a spotlight on their resilience, teamwork, and determination. See below for some of the links to the latest articles and coverage.
The Guardian The Times BBC News
If you're in the Pacific, swing by to say hello and offer moral support. You can track their progress via their website and follow them on Instagram.
Will you be at the Monaco Yacht Show?
Our Managing Director, Steve Monk has been asked to moderate the Captains Forum at the Monaco Yacht Show.
Training, safety and the welfare of crew are things we are passionate about at Da Gama Maritime. It's evident many out there in the industry feel likewise based on the growing comments we witness on social media alone. Will we change the industry in one morning? No. Can we utilise this opportunity to start a coordinated change? We hope so.
Steve and Tom will be touring Italy and France between 22-27 September, please get in touch to arrange a visit.
3 September 2025
New Edition - IAMSAR Volume III and List IV
IAMSAR Volume III
This publication is state mandated under most flags and is published as a new edition every three years.
The next is forecast for release in Early October '25.
List IV
This publication is essential for maritime radiocommunications, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
A new edition is expected in the 4th Quarter of 2025
SEAS THE DAY - Pacific row - Over 90 days at sea and the team passed the half way mark last week!
Here at DGM we are so proud of how well our account manager, Jess and her rowing partner Mims are doing. Over half way and no sign of stopping! They're rowing over 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported, all to raise money for The Outward Bound Trust.
From Jess and Mims: “A message to all those who have donated to our charity, The Outward Bound Trust. That the donations are increasing is a major motivation for us and this expedition and helps us wake up every two hours to get back on the oars, no matter what the weather. If everyone who follows us on TikTok and Instagram gave £5.00 we would have reached £600,000 – let’s do it! Thank you!” please donate by clicking the link
Can you help the UKHO?
The UKHO is running a Beta Trial of the new Admiralty Digital Sailing Directions (ADSD). This is the next digital bringing essential planning information into a clear and easy-to-use format. ADSD provides information in a new geo-referenced display making it simpler than ever for users to plan safe, efficient and compliant voyages. If you would like to take part in the trial please click here to register your interest.
Please note
This early access version is still under development. It does not meet carriage compliance requirements and must not be used for primary navigation.
8 August 2025
New Edition - IAMSAR Volume III
This publication is state mandated under most Flags and is published as a new edition every three years. The next is forecast for release in Sept / Oct '25.
♻️ Recycling Maritime Publications
Thank you to one of our vessels for letting us know what they do with their publications. Rather than ditching out-of-date (but still perfectly presentable) nautical publications and charts, consider donating them to nautical colleges, sailing schools or training centres.
It’s a brilliant way to give these resources a second life.
Wartsila Transas Annual Support Agreements
We have received communication from Wartsila Transas regarding their annual support agreements (ASA):
"Please be informed that Wartsila Voyage is currently conducting a management review of the existing ASA service offering. During this review period, no new or renewal (upon expiry) ASA Agreements will be approved for the foreseeable future."
Pacific row - 3000+ miles done, nearly halfway...
Imagine spending months at a time on a small boat rowing across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Rowing up to 15 hours per day on a 2hrs on / 2hrs off schedule! That's what Jess and Mims have done for the past 2 months. With so many more miles ahead, please support them and if you're in the Pacific, swing by to say hello and offer moral support. You can track their progress via their website and follow them on Instagram.
S100 - Official ENCs - Follow the progress
As we have mentioned before, the first phase of S100 layers of Official ENC information will be released in the New Year. While this is not necessarily going to make any dramatic changes to navigation in the world of Superyachts, it is something we advise all those involved in the safety of navigation to be aware of. The latest update information from the UKHO can be viewed at this link.
8 July 2025
ECDIS Training - Let us be clear about it
The term ‘Type Specific’ was withdrawn nearly 10 years ago and replaced with ‘Type Familiarisation’ training. In accordance with MSC.1/Circ. 1503/Rev.2 dated 28 Nov 22, there is no formal requirement for crew to conduct online ECDIS Familiarisation courses as these are not Flag State accredited. A short article about this including most common Type Familiarisation questions can be downloaded here: Article Questions
Pay As You Sail Permits - A reminder
A gentle reminder that for vessels operating on the Pay-As-You-Sail (PAYS) system on their ECDIS, yes, your ECDIS will alert you every 3rd month that the permit is going to expire at the end of that month. Do not worry about this, it is normal. Within the last 7 - 10 days of that month the new PAYS permit will automatically be issued by the UKHO so that when you run your weekly update it will download and advance your new expiry date to 3 months later.
ECDIS keyboards - Wireless are not approved.
It has come to light that a number of new build yachts are no longer being provided with hardwired keyboards to their ECDIS. Instead the most common set-up is to use a wireless or Bluetooth keyboard. We get it - bridge designers do not want ugly keyboards making a mess of the glass touch screen or pure foil set-up. However, be advised Class authorities have not approved any non-hardwired keyboards to the ECDIS so when it comes to an audit you will need to demonstrate using the on screen keyboard.
Pacific row - 1500+ miles done, a few more to go...
Having departed Peru in May, Jess and Mims have cracked on at a great pace and this weekend notched up their 1500th mile as part of their unsupported Pacific crossing. This hasn't been without more challenges including the low voltage from the solar charging system and pipes bursting in the water maker. However they remain undeterred and continue to plough on west to their Australian destination. We'd ask any vessels near them to offer moral support for which you can track their progress via their website and follow them on Instagram.
MAIB Safety Digest and CHIRP report
The MAIB have issued their latest Safety Digest which we highly recommend to crew and management for discussion at crew safety meetings. In their usual style, the MAIB have used a lighter tone to explain and describe the chosen incidents which all convey a serious message.
Concurrently, the latest CHIRP Superyacht report has been published. It is unlikely there won't be a vessel out there which can't relate to at least one of the incidents or something similar possibly getting close to happening onboard.
The latest reports can be downloaded from these links: MAIB CHIRP
9 June 2025
LLoyd's Register Yacht Safety Culture and Wellbeing Survey
Lloyd's Registry recently issued an email to the Superyacht industry requesting participation in their Safety Culture and Wellbeing survey. The survey is anonymous and designed to use the results to adopt a safer and more supportive working environment. Obviously the greater number who participate, the more accurate the results will be. It is requested you pass this link to all crew for their involvement.
Pacific Row - They're off...(again)
Having set off last month at a crackin' pace, 7 days into their Pacific row challenge, the rudder on (former employee) Jess and Miriam's boat suffered catastrophic failure. During a slow recovery to Peru, UK based manufacturers pulled out all the stops to create four new reinforced replacements which they personally took out to avoid any delays in customs. Now installed and tested, the intrepid duo are back at sea buoyant in positivity. Good luck ladies. Track their progress via their website.
Witherby Connect update
For vessels using the Witherby Connect service to e-books, an update has recently been issued on the software providing faster performance improved import / export and more annotation options. This service is a Flag approved replacement for carrying many of the required regulatory publications in hard copy. Download the user manual from this link or contact us for further details.
7 May 2025
ITU publications available digitally - 2025 Edition
A quick reminder the 2025 editions of the ITU List V and Maritime Mobile publications are now available in DVD, USB and the more popular, e-book download. These publications are required by most Flag States for carriage so please contact us if you'd like to place an order.
Going near Nice in June?
You may or may not be aware the United Nations Ocean Conference is taking place in Nice, France between 9 - 13 June. We have been informed that not only will there be travel restrictions in place as 193 countries send thousands of delegates, but security restrictions on navigation will be in place between Villeneuve-Loubet and St Jean Cap Ferrat leading up to and after the event. With possible climate activists in the area, yachts who don't wish to draw attention to themselves may like to consider an alternative location to cruise.
