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Social Media Ahoy!



The 2016 edition of the ARC Atlantic crossing saw an interesting evolution with regards to social messaging and keeping in touch between other boats and to shore.

WhatsApp is a widely used social messaging app which arguably replaces SMS messaging between mobile phones. So why the surprise that we might use it on a yacht? Well, communications costs typically increase as you move away from home and so especially over satellite links, it’s important to use ultra efficient ways of communicating. Previously that has typically meant only simple text emails, and even then only with the assistance of specialist compression software such as teleport-mail from MailASail.

However, recently there has been an increase in takeup of faster satellite systems such as Iridium Pilot. These are somewhat more expensive to purchase the hardware, but in return offer dramatically faster (50x faster) and cheaper internet data costs (10-100x less expensive). Apps such as WhatsApp are not as efficient as a specialist email compression service, but if you combine the dramatically reduced internet costs of the Iridium Pilot with the specialist Red-Box firewall product from MailASail (which allows you to selectively enable only email or WhatsApp traffic), then you end up with a cost effective communications option that allows everyone onboard to keep in touch relatively “normally” using only their normal cellular phone. No more needing to be a hermit while at sea!

Some ideas to try with Whatsapp:

Blogging: You can setup a closed group of friends and family and easily post updates, stories and photos to all.

Ship-to-Ship: Radio is a terrific tool, but its takeup seems to be declining. Instant messaging is arguably even better as it can be used with immediacy, but also you don’t need to sit over the phone, messages sent while you are absent simply queue up and you can read them at your leisure (contrast with radio conversations where if you miss it, you miss it). Setup a closed group of friends on nearby boats and discuss what you caught today! No more fishy tales, sent them photos of what you caught as well!

Elderly Relatives: Many boats will have relatives at home that they want to keep in close to immediate access, but who may also be afraid of calling relatively expensive (and long) international telephone numbers. Add a basic £40 Android phone with a single large button and you have an efficient way they can keep in touch (and photos can be a great way to understand and get on top of otherwise urgent sounding situations)

Office Communications: Forcing the office to have to type you a message on a phone is a great way to stop them simply forwarding every work email to you while you are on holiday!

Crew Communications: Whatsapp can be a simple and efficient way to give crew onboard ways to keep in touch with home, without needing to let them near the ships navigation computer! (Remember the captain is always in control of the Red-Box firewall and communications can only be used when deliberately authorised)

The Red-Box router is an upgradeable product which integrates your satellite communications with your near shore 3G/4G and also long range wifi. It can automatically optimise and compress certain types of internet data, meaning lower costs and faster effective speeds. It can be upgraded through software updates, so it can grow with your boat, and in particular look for the next software release in Feb, which will further enhance integration with social media and instant messaging!

MailASail are the market leader in communications solutions for yachts and anyone on the move! Contact MailASail to talk about a complete solution for communicating while onboard, which will suit any budget. MailASail can provide the most cost effective communications solutions, which bundled with great advice and optimisation software can be 5-10x less expensive than competing alternatives.

For more information and to discuss which communications options may best suit your cruising plans, contact MailaSail: Email: [email protected], Tel: +44 (0) 20 70432832