It’s worth exploring the latest technological advancements that can enhance your yachting experience. From navigation tools to communication devices, there are a variety of new solutions available to help you stay connected and safe on the water. Join me as we delve into the latest innovations in maritime technology.
Chat GPT.
You should try out and have fun with Chat GPT!
I have been playing around with Chat GPT to see how much of my monthly column I could get Chat GPT to write on my behalf. My introduction above was written by Chat GPT! It required some detailed context to get 50 words written, but I’m sure you’ll agree that it is very articulate and informative.
Should we really be worried about Chat GPT and AI?
My early working life, I started as an electronics engineer and I soon morphed into a software designer and systems analyst. I became deeply immersed in the appreciation of how man creates lines of code to replicate a function and then another function and then another. I realised man was limited to executing one function at a time. But, when all these functions are programmed into a computer, they can be executed simultaneously, by the computer. For decades, man has been downloading into computer code all our knowledge and functions, simultaneous to the logarithmic increase in the processing power of the computer chip. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been created by man downloading all our knowledge into code. The capability of the software today is very sophisticated, but remember it has been programmed by man, to be used by man, it has not been created by machine or an alien being!
Our concerns should be focused on stopping man from creating programs for nefarious reasons rather than machines becoming intelligent. I hope current international initiatives to manage AI focus on taking the correct direction. The press love scaremongering by proclaiming that AI is being developed by the machines themselves. Which it is not.
There are many positives that this software can be used for. My daughter’s boyfriend, who is a dentist with Catalan as his first language, told me recently that he will probably never personally write an email in English ever again, as Chat GPT does a much better job. I have to say he’s quite right, and this will certainly help people in many areas.
Look at the text that follows in italics. I asked Chat GPT to write 250 words about using Chat GPT in the yachting industry and this is what it generated in about 20 seconds!!
The yachting industry is renowned for its luxurious and exclusive experiences, but it is also an industry where efficiency and convenience are highly valued. Chat GPT, an AI language model, has the potential to revolutionize the yachting industry by providing a range of benefits, from simplifying communication to improving customer service and enhancing safety.
One of the most significant advantages of Chat GPT is its ability to streamline communication. With its natural language processing capabilities, Chat GPT can understand and respond to customer requests and inquiries in real-time, reducing the need for manual input and enabling faster response times. This is particularly beneficial for yacht charters, where customers often have specific requests and require information about a range of services, including catering, entertainment, and logistics.
Another advantage of Chat GPT is its ability to improve customer service. With its 24/7 availability, Chat GPT can provide customers with instant assistance, regardless of their location or time zone. This can help to enhance the customer experience and build brand loyalty, particularly for luxury yacht charters where customer satisfaction is paramount.
Chat GPT can also enhance safety in the yachting industry. By monitoring weather conditions and providing real-time updates, Chat GPT can help captains and crew members plan their routes and make informed decisions. Additionally, Chat GPT can analyze data and identify potential safety risks, such as equipment malfunctions or emergency situations, enabling proactive measures to be taken to prevent accidents.
In conclusion, Chat GPT has the potential to revolutionize the yachting industry by providing a range of benefits, from streamlining communication to enhancing customer service and improving safety. While there are undoubtedly challenges to be overcome, such as ensuring data privacy and security, the potential benefits of Chat GPT in the yachting industry are significant and worth exploring further.
Apart from some American spelling (analyze with a “z”), it’s not bad at all. I can certainly see why teachers and lecturers are concerned. I did ask it to write about various other subjects and it was not always quite so successful.
Starlink.
A very interesting Starlink installation solution for a performance sailboat
We have been installing Starlink Maritime systems on at least one yacht per day since we became an Authorised Reseller, and this installation, for a performance sailing yacht, is an excellent example.
The Starlink panel is mounted on top of an ensign staff on the transom of the yacht. The location avoids rigging, sail, and mast shadow as much as possible. The ensign staff mount was designed and constructed in carbon fibre in Mallorca by BM Composites and is suitable for sailing yachts of all sizes. A neat mounting solution!
Most importantly, the customer is very happy with both the installation and the Starlink service. Captain Simon Tibbot of SY Shagala Bagala has reported download speeds of 392Mbps whilst sailing at 10 knots with a heel of 30 degrees.
In addition to the Starlink service, Captain Simon has contracted our Big Data Europe 4&5G Pay-as-you-Go service as a back-up and said he is “…very happy and grateful…” for e3’s delivery and support.
We have Starlink Maritime panels in stock for immediate delivery from our bases in Mediterranean Spain, the French Riviera and Fort Lauderdale.
Starlink RV/Roam is being switched off AT SEA.
Following on from my previous column in which I mentioned Starlink had changed the name of its RV service to Roam, they have reduced the service to the lowest priority and made it clear it is only for use on land. They soon began detecting use offshore and started sending messages to the users informing them that the system was being used illegally.
Over the last few weeks, we have heard of several instances of Roam systems being switched off at sea even if the user has selected the global tariff. This is happening now.
The question is, how far offshore will they work? This is quite generous in certain areas but not in others. For example, if you sail from Palma to Alcudia Bay, coverage will be good across Palma Bay but then it becomes limited along the east coast, very close inshore.
Starlink started charging for overage on 1st June.
From 1st June 2023 Starlink has started charging for data used over and above the Data Cap of the plan selected (overage). The data plans can be either 5TB, 1TB or 50GB per month. Starlink now charges a rate per GB charge for data used above the Data Cap. The end user has the option to stop the service when they reach the Data Cap or to pay the GB overage rate. However, if the Starlink system has been purchased from Starlink directly, the end-user must manually monitor their data usage via the App to avoid getting into Bill Shock territory.
However, if the Starlink system has been supplied by us, then our Client Portal my.e3s.com includes a warning system that automatically sends a warning by email when the Data Cap is in sight and just before it is reached so that the user can take action to avoid Bill Shock.
Our system also allows the user to allow the Data Cap to be exceeded, but then to send warnings when reaching either a user-defined fixed amount of data or US$ value above the Data Cap that is defined by the user as acceptable.
Many of our clients are heading to sea for their summer season in the Med.
Wishing you all fair winds, calm anchorages, and good communications!
