ScanNav routing software

ScanNav Navigation Software: Marine Charting, Route Planning and Navigation

ScanNav is a GPS-assisted marine charting and navigation software solution designed primarily for maritime navigation. It allows sailors to prepare cruises ashore, use different types of digital nautical charts, create waypoints and routes, and monitor their position in real time when the software is connected to a compatible GPS and onboard instruments.

ScanNav is therefore aimed at sailors looking for a comprehensive navigation environment on a computer, but also at navigators who need more than simple digital chart display. The software combines route planning, GPS positioning, track recording, instrument display, raster and vector charting, tide information and, depending on the selected modules, weather, tidal currents, routing and AIS.

This versatility makes ScanNav suitable for coastal sailing, multi-day cruising, offshore navigation and the preparation of longer voyages. The software can also be used for inland-water navigation when compatible charts are available.

What is ScanNav navigation software used for?

ScanNav brings together many of the functions required for voyage preparation and navigation in a single environment.

The navigator can:

• consult and organise digital nautical charts;

• prepare routes and create waypoints;

• calculate distances and analyse an itinerary;

• create areas and annotations;

• connect a compatible GPS;

• display the vessel's position in real time;

• record navigation tracks;

• display information received from onboard instruments;

• use tide information;

• integrate weather and current data when the relevant modules are available;

• prepare routing calculations;

• display AIS information;

• analyse a voyage after returning to port.

This structure makes it possible to move naturally from voyage planning to real-time navigation and finally to post-voyage track analysis.

Planning a voyage with ScanNav

Route preparation is one of ScanNav's important functions. Before departure, the navigator can examine the relevant chart area, study different sections of the route and progressively build the planned itinerary.

Waypoints can be used to define important positions along the route. These may represent course changes, harbour entrances, specific passages, stopovers, anchorages or any other position considered relevant to navigation.

Routes can then connect these waypoints to organise the different legs of a voyage. This is particularly useful for cruises involving several ports of call.

For example, a sailor preparing a cruise along the French Atlantic coast can define the departure port, identify planned stopovers, create the required waypoints and organise the different routes. Depending on the equipment, selected route information can then be transferred to a compatible GPS.

ScanNav and digital nautical charts

One of ScanNav's main strengths is its ability to work with different types of digital charting.

The software can use raster charts, which reproduce the visual appearance of paper charts in digital form, as well as vector charts. It can also support compatible official ENCs.

Raster SnMap charting provides a representation that remains close to traditional paper nautical charts. It is available for different geographic areas and is derived from hydrographic data supplied by organisations such as Shom and other hydrographic offices depending on the coverage.

Vector charting provides a more object-based representation in which individual chart elements can be queried and their information accessed according to the available data.

This combination gives the navigator the ability to select the chart representation most appropriate for a particular task.

Raster and vector charting with ScanNav

Understanding the difference between raster and vector charts is important when choosing a ScanNav navigation solution.

A raster chart is a graphical representation of a nautical chart. Its appearance is similar to that of a paper chart, making it particularly familiar to sailors accustomed to traditional nautical documentation.

A vector chart consists of individual chart objects that can be queried and displayed according to different parameters. Information relating to soundings, lights and other chart elements can therefore be handled in a more dynamic way.

ScanNav can manage different types of charts and automatically select suitable chart information according to the display scale and geographic area. This is particularly useful when several charts are required during the same voyage.

ScanNav and GPS: real-time positioning

When connected to a compatible GPS, ScanNav displays the vessel's position directly on the chart.

The navigator can therefore monitor the vessel's progress in relation to the planned route. Depending on the available data, navigation information can include course, speed, distance, remaining time and estimated time of arrival.

This effectively turns the computer into a marine chartplotting and navigation workstation.

ScanNav can also receive information from other onboard instruments through compatible interfaces. Depending on the installation, information from an echo sounder, wind instrument, compass, log or other equipment can be displayed.

The received data can also be recorded, allowing a detailed navigation track to be preserved.

Following a route and monitoring deviations

Once a route has been prepared, ScanNav can be used to monitor the passage.

The vessel is displayed on the chart and its progress can be compared with the planned route. The software can provide information concerning deviations from the route or the approach to a waypoint.

The navigator can also create danger areas or save specific points, such as an anchorage, fishing location or position requiring particular attention.

Preparing these elements before departure can reduce the number of operations required while underway and provide a structured overview of the planned passage.

ScanNav and tides

ScanNav includes the SNTides module for calculating water levels.

The navigator can consult water levels corresponding to a specific position and time, and can also examine passage times for shallow areas or thresholds according to draught and safety margins.

Information can be presented in tables or graphical form.

This is particularly useful for coastal navigation and cruising in areas where harbour entrances, channels or shallow passages are affected by tides. It allows sailors to prepare an arrival or departure while taking water levels into account.

The calculated SNTides information should not, however, be regarded as an official hydrographic publication. Appropriate official nautical documents and information remain necessary for navigation planning.

ScanNav, weather, currents and routing

Depending on the selected modules, ScanNav can incorporate weather information and tidal-current data for route planning.

Routing aims to identify a suitable trajectory by combining forecast information, including weather and currents.

For sailing yachts, this approach can be combined with boat performance information, polar data and laylines. The navigator can therefore examine different scenarios and study departure times or routes according to the expected conditions.

This functionality is particularly useful for longer cruises and offshore navigation, where wind, currents and vessel performance can significantly influence route selection.

ScanNav and AIS

ScanNav can also be combined with an AIS module to display other vessels equipped with compatible AIS systems.

Depending on the received information, data may include position, course, speed, vessel name, vessel type and other available information.

Detected vessels can be displayed directly on the chart or in a list. Alarm functions can also be used to monitor selected situations and highlight potential risks according to the parameters defined by the navigator.

The module can also provide functions related to DSC and ARPA radar equipment depending on the compatible hardware and configuration.

AIS remains a navigation aid and does not replace appropriate visual and audible watchkeeping.

Analysing a voyage after returning to port

ScanNav is not limited to departure and real-time navigation.

The software records information received from the GPS and connected instruments, allowing the voyage track to be reviewed after the passage.

The navigator can therefore analyse the route, examine individual sections, review previous stages and maintain a graphical record of completed voyages.

This can also be useful when preparing a future cruise. A recorded track can provide a reference for a previously sailed route and allow different routing options to be compared.

ScanNav can also use tracks recorded by compatible GPS equipment when the software was not running during the voyage, depending on the equipment and supported formats.

ScanNav for coastal and offshore navigation

ScanNav can be used for different types of navigation.

For coastal sailing, it can be used to prepare routes, monitor the vessel's position, manage waypoints and use chart, tide and instrument information.

For a multi-day cruise, it allows the different stages of a voyage to be organised and the completed tracks to be retained.

For offshore navigation, the weather, current, routing, performance and AIS functions can provide additional tools for analysing conditions and planning the passage.

The level of equipment required therefore depends on the type of navigation and the functions required.

ScanNav for inland-water navigation

ScanNav can also be used for inland-water navigation with compatible ENC Inland charts.

This extends the software beyond maritime navigation. The same principles of route planning, GPS positioning and track monitoring can be applied to inland waterways where compatible chart coverage is available.

ScanNav also supports certain land-based cartographic projections, allowing its use to extend beyond marine navigation in appropriate applications.

Who can use ScanNav navigation software?

ScanNav can meet the needs of different types of navigators:

• sailors preparing coastal cruises;

• motorboat users using a computer as a navigation workstation;

• navigators planning multi-day voyages;

• offshore sailors using weather, currents and routing;

• users wishing to connect GPS and NMEA instruments;

• navigators looking for raster and vector charting;

• sailors wishing to record and analyse navigation tracks;

• inland-water users with compatible chart coverage.

Its modular approach also makes it possible to progressively adapt the navigation environment to the needs of the vessel and navigator.

Choosing compatible charts for ScanNav

Selecting the software is only one part of a digital navigation solution. The chart coverage must also correspond to the intended cruising area.

Before selecting charts for ScanNav, it is therefore useful to determine:

• the relevant maritime or inland-water area;

• departure and destination ports;

• planned stopovers;

• the type of navigation;

• the required level of chart detail;

• whether raster or vector charting is preferred;

• which onboard equipment needs to be connected to the software.

Depending on the geographic area, navigators may use data originating from different hydrographic organisations such as Shom, Admiralty and other national hydrographic offices.

Combining navigation software, appropriate chart coverage, GPS and the relevant nautical publications provides a coherent environment for preparing and monitoring a voyage.

FAQ – ScanNav Navigation Software

What is ScanNav navigation software used for?

ScanNav is GPS-assisted marine charting and navigation software used to prepare routes, work with digital nautical charts, monitor vessel position and analyse navigation tracks.

Does ScanNav work with GPS?

Yes. ScanNav can connect to a compatible GPS to display the vessel's position in real time and record the navigation track.

Can ScanNav use raster charts?

Yes. ScanNav supports raster charts, including compatible SnMap chart coverage.

Does ScanNav support vector charts?

Yes. ScanNav can use different vector charting solutions, including compatible ENCs and Vector SnMap coverage available for selected areas.

Can a route be planned with ScanNav?

Yes. The software allows users to create waypoints, routes, areas and annotations useful for voyage preparation.

Can onboard instruments be connected to ScanNav?

Yes. Depending on the installation and available interfaces, ScanNav can receive information from GPS and compatible NMEA instruments such as echo sounders, compasses, wind instruments and logs.

Can ScanNav be used with AIS?

Yes. A dedicated AIS module can display detected vessels and provide monitoring and alarm functions depending on the configuration.

Can ScanNav calculate tides?

Yes. The SNTides module can calculate and display water levels for different positions and times. These calculations do not replace official nautical publications.

Can ScanNav be used for routing?

Yes, with the appropriate module. Performance functions can combine weather and current information to study routes and use laylines and polar data.

Is ScanNav suitable for offshore navigation?

Yes. Its charting, GPS, weather, current, routing, performance and AIS functions can be used to prepare offshore passages, depending on the selected modules and available data.

Can a voyage be analysed after returning to port?

Yes. ScanNav records tracks and information received from connected instruments, allowing the voyage to be reviewed after sailing.

Can ScanNav be used for inland-water navigation?

Yes. The software can use compatible inland-water charts, including ENC Inland data, for certain inland-water navigation applications.

Does ScanNav replace official nautical charts and publications?

No. ScanNav is a charting, voyage-planning and navigation-support tool. It should be used together with appropriate nautical documents and in accordance with the applicable navigation requirements.