INTERVIEW Paul Sumpner Digital Yacht
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@SQ`cWbSRbVWagSO` Begun just a few years ago as a small UK firm,
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[O\OUW\URW`SQb]`]T What advantages do Digital Yacht products Do any major boatbuilders fit your equipment
1;O^C97\''VS have over the standard nav/comms packages as standard, or offer it as an option?
Q]e`]bSBVS;O`W\S from suppliers such as Garmin or Raymarine? Absolutely. We work mostly with sailing yacht
3ZSQb`WQa0]]Y Despite very intense competition in the marine builders such as Discovery and Oyster, but
electronics sector, there is no other single we also have motorboat clients that include
manufacturer that offers a complete, turn-key Sunseeker. In fact, a lot of OEMs purchase
nav/comms and boat management package. Digital Yacht products but they do it through
Very often you will see a yacht with a helm our network of dealers and distributors.
console that is cluttered with an wide array
of different brand displays — everything from Does Digital Yacht intend to expand its
engine instruments to plotters and radars. offerings in terms of hardware beyond PC-
Our PC flat screen approach permits a totally based systems?
integrated ‘glass bridge’ solution which is Yes we do. In 2007 we launched a Class B AIS
becoming increasing popular as boatbuilders transponder. AIS is mandatory on all vessels
adopt digital electronic switching systems over 300 GRT. But we make our systems as open
based, essentially, on PC technology. source as possible to facilitate communication
And for long distance yachtsmen, the with other manufacturers’ equipment. We are
PC solution is more flexible. For example, it also aware that boats under 40ft often don’t
can bring together the use of satcoms and have the space for a full-size PC-based system,
navigation, weather information downloads, which is why we are launching a range of
and more advanced route planning, as well as dedicated products for 2010, including a 5in
offering a bigger screen size. Bigger boats often chart plotter and plotter/sounder.
have twin PC systems on a local network — one
for general administrative work and the other Where is your production facility?
specifically for navigation. Presently we work with a range of Taiwanese
and Chinese core component suppliers, but
all final assembly is done here, in the UK. This
is essential for service, updates and rapid “Our systems are as open source as
response to market feedback. But we are
moving software development to China, to be possible to help communication
staffed by a small team of programmers under with other manufacturers’ products”
out chief architect who has been UK-based for
the last two years. We are also opening a new
assembly facility in Poole, Dorset.
Many people still consider the Windows PC as
a relatively unreliable device, prone to bugs, Has Digital Yacht ever considered an attempt
software problems, and security issues. What’s at entering the US market?
your response to this? ES¸dSOZ`SORgabO`bSRESVOdSO\Se
There is no chance of a dedicated navigation PC aOZSaO\R[O`YSbW\U]T¿QSW\<SePc`g^]`b
being infected with a virus or Trojan as it won’t ;OaaOQVcaSbbaPcbbVSCA[O`YSbWa`SOZZgb]cUV
be handling emails or attachments. ObbVS[][S\bO\R]c`[OW\QVOZZS\US`WUVb
Obviously, any PC connected to the internet \]eWab]USbQ]\ac[S`ab]OaYa^SQW¿QOZZgT]`
should be protected by a firewall and security ]c`^`]RcQbaRc`W\UPcWZR
software. Digital Yacht PCs are purposely
designed around ‘global standard’ building And how do you see the future?
blocks, which makes customer support at long We are very optimistic. Having a range of
distance easier than with proprietary brands. dedicated products will open new avenues
Also, many boat owners now want to be in to smaller OEMs looking for a ‘one stop’
completely in touch with the outside world solution. We are also looking at a new range
and insist on wi-fi and internet capability of instruments with a unique twist —an ‘open
while they are moored up in a port. Wi-fi offers source’ format so that data can be read on
a much cheaper solution than proprietary wireless or internet-enable device.
satellite or 3G based mobile solutions. That will be a big step forward.
"& August/September u0s www.europeanboatbuilder.net
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