Author: Pam
Technology is by far our biggest tool on board and we are always open to anything that will enhance our access to information. We had the pleasure of meeting and spending the day with Tony Purkiss and Simon Blundell. Tony is blind and a sailor who has participated in 9 Sydney Hobart races as well a long list of other sailing adventures. How he lost his vision is a remarkable story, he was a victim of the bombing in Bali in 2005. Even more remarkable than how he lost his vision is his amazing adjustment to his vision loss in less than two years. He is someone who considers himself extremely lucky (he has had at least two near death experiences in less than ten years) and he doesn't believe in letting the little or the big things in life get in your way and this he exudes with openness and boundless enthusiasm. Scott and I have had the opportunity to meet many blind and visually impaired people in our life and Tony stands out as someone with amazing adjustment skills and a positive attitude, he is someone we were honored to meet. Tony's website is www.tonypurkiss.com if you want to find out more about what he is up to.
Simon is the developer of Software on Board (SOB), a computerized navigational program utilizing C-MAP cartography and in the last year after being contacted by Tony he has begun to develop Talking Pilot a component of SOB. Tony sent Simon an email and posed the question of making some of the navigational information audible in the SOB program, which Simon thought was a very reasonable consideration and with some computer programming magic most likely possible. They have been communicating for the past year and fine tuning the program. They were very anxious to demonstrate what they have so far to us and were also very hopeful that we would consider using the software aboard Starship. Let's see, more information in an audible format, you really don't have to ask us twice. Simon donated the SOB program and is now one of our newest sponsors. For more information about Software on Board check out www.digiboat.com.au.
So, what does this mean and how will life at sea change for us? Currently SOB and Talking Pilot can give us position, course, speed and depth information through speech synthesis. The next area of development is to make AIS (Automatic Identification Systems) information available through speech as well. This is very exciting because it will give all blind sailors greater access to information about the shipping traffic in their vicinity. All large ships are now required to have AIS on board, which transmits their ship name, course, speed, position and direction. With this information now available on the computer through speech synthesis sailors can travel around their yacht with a blue tooth earpiece providing them with wireless and hands free access to this data. In order to access SOB and the AIS information we now need to install an AIS receiver and a special cable between our instruments and the computer, which will require the skills of an electronics technician. Throughout the remainder of our voyage we will work with Simon and Tony to make suggestions for further development of the Talking Pilot. We are proud to be participants in the evolution and beta testing of this exciting new technology. Tony mentioned that one day he hopes to attempt a solo non-stop blind circumnavigation. The Talking Pilot will be an instrumental tool towards achieving his goal. Tony, good on ya mate, we will be there cheering you on when your dream becomes a reality!
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