Marine navigation specialist Voyager Worldwide has introduced Voyager eBook, a new e-reader that provides access to nautical publications, flag circulars, regulations and advisories via a web browser on any desktop operating system or mobile.

Voyager eBook has been designed to provide customers with a comprehensive set of nautical publications that can support proficiency and simplify deck procedures, with content stored offline for access at any time.

With the introduction of Voyager eBook, over 500 eBooks are now available on a common platform including all Codes, Conventions and Guides, Flag State Regulations, and U.S. Coast Guard Publications – all at standard publication price.

“We have been working on Voyager eBook for over a year and our main goal was for users to have a common way to access all the nautical information they need for navigational compliance and remove the need to switch between different user interfaces,” said Noel Fernando, Product Manager at Voyager Worldwide: “We chose to use a platform that was already in use rather than inventing another way, to provide our customers with a consistent user experience and standardize the procedures of the library of nautical publications on board.”

Publication Library

Voyager specifically chose the same eBook platform as the recently launched IMO Library to provide customers with a universal approach to accessing and viewing digital nautical publications. Voyager eBook customers can select and subscribe to regulatory and informational content from flag states and classification societies as well as nautical publishers such as the Federal Registry Office, US Coast Guard, NOAA and NGA.

Voyager eBook also includes over 100 free blogs on topics ranging from digital navigation to energy efficiency, with new content published monthly.

The Voyager eBook provides on-demand content through the ship’s standard communications network. Voyager eBook customers can shop through Voyager Planning Station or Voyager Fleet Insight and easily access new content. New books can be downloaded in less than a minute. Subscription content, such as flyers and other updates, is automatically shared for subscribers to download as needed. Plus, a copy of every book purchased is saved online in Voyager Cloud so customers can always access their inventory from any device.

Content Voyager eBook is a hybrid online/offline solution that allows users to view publications on any device, including laptops and tablets, using any internet browser. Content can be downloaded via L-band, VSAT or port Wi-Fi connections as well as 3G/4G connections. Once downloaded, Voyager eBook stores content locally on the device so it can be read offline from anywhere on board. Customers can also use Voyager eBook USB to import content and save on data costs.

“In developing Voyager eBook, we wanted to retain the best of physical books, but also address their limitations. Voyager eBook is a hybrid online/offline solution, so crews can read nautical publications offline from anywhere on board on any device – from PC to tablet – but also access a publication in less than 60 seconds,” added Fernando. “Shore-based budget holders can approve ship orders for e-book content the same way they approve orders for other navigational supplies using Voyager Fleet Insight and indexes are automatically updated. into Voyager Fleet Insight and Planning Station to give teams ashore and aboard the ship complete visibility into navigational compliance.”