Industry News
CHIRP Superyacht Feedback February 2026
Please click here to download the latest edition of CHIRP Superyacht Feedback, Issue 11.
BA Board Rescue Stickers
Our new BA Board rescue stickers have arrived in stock. These helpful prompts attach to the reverse of your BA board and will assist the On Scene Commander in their brief to the BA team.
Please contact us if you would like to purchase.
10 March 2026
Have you seen the new ADSD software?
The new way to visualise ADMIRALTY Sailing Directions is now being rolled out after a very successful Beta trial last year. Geographically based, it now aligns more with the other ADPs to present the data in a more conducive manner. Better still, the service is included free of charge to AENP users as it just piggy backs off your AENP licences.
Click here for more information about the software and click here to check out a YouTube video of the software in use.
Please contact us if you would like to utilise this new software.
New Publication Coming Soon.
Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) - 2026 Edition
We are expecting this mandated new addition to arrive in our office in late March 2026. Contact us today to reserve your copies now and they will be shipped out to you as soon as they are released.
Laminated Fire Safety Plans
Did you know we can print and laminate fire safety plans and General Arrangements for your vessel?
Please contact us for more information.
Termination of Translink connectivity
For any vessels operating with their Wartsila (Transas) ECDIS connected to the ashore Transas server for the download of charts and updates, we have received notification that from 20 March 2026, the older Translink hardware will NO LONGER be able to receive the charts and updates.
As we believe Transas do not always record which vessels have this equipment, we strongly advise you to locate the Translink (image above) and find the serial number. If it starts 1097xxxx you should contact us ASAP to discuss options. If it starts 1197xxxxx you are on the newer CSR460 and not affected..
The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) Flag State Annual Summary Report 2025
The Annual Summary Report 2025 confirms strong performance across the CISR superyacht fleet.
Port State Control results for yachts remain very positive, with no detentions recorded for commercial yachts over the last three years. However, the most common yacht related deficiencies in 2025 were linked to certification, lifesaving appliances, fire safety and navigation. Considering these are areas which our company specialises in improving the standard on board, please reach out to us if you have any questions or just want confirmation of what procedures you are following. We are here to help and prevent vessels from becoming a negative statistic.
Click here to download the Cayman Islands Annual Summary Report.
9 February 2026
Free ECDIS S-100 Training Module
The timeline on the new S-100 series of charts is slipping. ECDIS manufacturers are not yet ready with the new hardware for installation and trials of the new charts remain ongoing.
Stay ahead of ECDIS changes with this free module on S-100 implementation. Learn how the new S-100 data framework enhances ECDIS with dynamic navigation, weather and bathymetry information.
Access this module via Witherby Connect: Click here.
No account? Contact us at this link for a free trial login.
New Publication Available Now
The ICS Deck Procedures Guide completes a core suite of publications supporting safe and efficient ship operations. Aligned with the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide and ICS Engine Room Procedures Guide, it promotes consistent procedures and clear communication across onboard departments. The guide provides practical procedures and checklists for essential deck operations, supporting compliance with the IMSBC Code and IMDG Code. It is recommended for carriage on board every ship and is available in physical or digital format, please click here for further information.
Onboard Training
2025 saw our busiest year for onboard crew fire training. As this is recognised by the Nautical Institute for meeting Continual Professional Development (CPD) certification, consider the positives it brings to your vessel or fleet.
Training a crew onboard with your equipment, using your procedures is so much more beneficial. Not only does it give the opportunity to have experts in their field review your procedures, it provides an independent assessment of these procedures to teach latest industry and equipment manufacturer guidance.
Prevention is so much more cost effective than post incident. Crew feedback from our courses demonstrates the positive outcome it brings.
GARMIN
Garmin have announced the latest marine software update. This includes chart data as well as enhancements to software for radar brightness, sailing features and expanded transducer support.
ADMIRALTY Digital Sailing Directions
If you are already part of the Beta trial, please update your software using the link below to ensure you are running the most recent version.
If you are not yet involved but would like to take part, there is still time to join. Simply click the link below to log in and download the ADSD 0.7 Beta software.
The Beta trial will remain open until 31 March 2026.
Please click here to access the update
9 January 2026
Next‑Gen Navigation: S‑101 ENCs Are Coming
S‑101 will be the new standard for Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), built on the IHO’s S‑100 framework. It will replace the older S‑57 ENCs, delivering richer data, smarter navigation and greater precision for the maritime industry.
Key Benefits:
- Enhanced Accuracy: Navigate with confidence using the most up-to-date chart data
- Modernised Features: Cleaner, smarter charts with improved text placement and buoy display
- Future Ready: S‑101 ENCs are designed for integration with next-generation navigation systems
Removal of Schedule A PDFs
Further to the announcement from UKHO, they will no longer provide Schedule A PDFs for any vessels operating PAYS.
BA Boards
During recent visits to conduct onboard crew fire training, while witnessing drills, we have observed crew leaving tallies on the BA sets when the BA team are on air. As a reminder, tallies MUST be transferred to the BA board when the team are on air. Once they emerge and come off-air, the tally must be clipped back on the BA set. The BA board is a legal document and must be completed correctly.
Contact us for clarification if required.
Onboard Training
Onboard training brings real world learning to your vessel, using your crew and your equipment in your environment. Hands-on training makes all the difference when it comes to safety and performance at sea.
Our diary is already filling for the Spring with vessels requesting our trainers to review and enhance the crew capabilities with respect to firefighting and navigation. Training is tailored specific to each vessel and with constant positive feedback demonstrates the changes it makes to the safety of everyone onboard. Contact us to discuss what we can do for you.
PILOT TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS
IMO MSC 110 adopted amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 with regards to the transfer arrangements of pilots. Dates have been laid down but more importantly, yachts are not exempt.
New builds and refits are strongly advised to be up-to-speed on the latest regulations. All crew should be familiar with the guidance as pilots will have greater powers to refuse transfers if they feel doing so is unsafe.
The image shows exactly how it is NOT to be conducted.
The latest advice poster from the UK Maritime Pilots Association is linked here
Weekly Updates – A mindset change
With emerging technology and the move to ‘as-and-when’ updates from Hydrographic Offices, navigators need not always rely on requesting official ENC weekly updates on a Friday. It is more effective to request updates prior to route planning, prior to route execution and then regularly during the passage.
6 November 2025
E-Books - AVAILABLE NOW
After many enquiries regarding digital TSO publications, Witherbys are now able to sell these top two essential titles which can be viewed on their Witherby Connect portal:
Code of Safe Working Practices
Ship Captain's Medical Guide
Please contact info@dgmaritime.com or your account manager at DG Maritime if you would like these digital copies.
SEAS THE DAY - Pacific row - More than 7500 miles rowed!
More than 150 days and over 7000 miles at sea, they are now on the final stretch, and expected to arrive in to Cairns within the next week to 10 days.
September brought some great respite from the dreaded freeze-dried food having landed a 40kg yellow fin tuna on their hand line.
Jess and Mims are so close to their target of £50,000. If you’d like to cheer them on and support this amazing cause, please consider donating here.
We are unbelievably proud of these ladies!. Let’s help them finish strong, both on the ocean and for Outward Bound UK. 💛
If you're near the eastern coast of Australia, swing by to say hello and offer moral support. You can track their progress via their website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
September has been a busy month for Da Gama Maritime
From the stage at the Monaco Yacht Club (MYC), our MD, Steve Monk, had the privilege of moderating the Captains Forum at #MYS2025, focusing on CPD (Continued Professional Development) training. An honour to be asked, but more importantly, a chance to keep crew training and safety at the heart of industry discussions. You can watch the forum at this link. (filmed by Yacht Club de Monaco).
Watch this space as we hope to be announcing further webinars in collaboration with the MYC and generating centres of excellence for further CPD training.
6 October 2025
New Editions
The next new edition of the ADMIRALTY Information Overlay (v33.0) will be released on 9 October, Week 41/2025.
As new editions are published approximately every 90 weeks, this release will result in a larger-than-usual download size for users accessing the weekly file.
Please allow additional time for the transfer to complete.
ITU List IV
This publication is essential for maritime radiocommunications, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). A new edition is expected in the 4th Quarter of 2025.
IAMSAR Volume III
This publication is mandated under most Flag States and is published as a new edition every three years. The next is forecast for release in October / November 2025.
SEAS THE DAY - Pacific row - More than 6000 miles rowed!
What an incredible month it has been for the Seas The Day crew. By the time you read this, they will have rowed more than 6,000 miles and spent over 120 days at sea – a truly remarkable milestone in their journey.
This past week has brought a wave of well-deserved media attention, shining a spotlight on their resilience, teamwork, and determination. See below for some of the links to the latest articles and coverage.
The Guardian The Times BBC News
If you're in the Pacific, swing by to say hello and offer moral support. You can track their progress via their website and follow them on Instagram.
Will you be at the Monaco Yacht Show?
Our Managing Director, Steve Monk has been asked to moderate the Captains Forum at the Monaco Yacht Show.
Training, safety and the welfare of crew are things we are passionate about at Da Gama Maritime. It's evident many out there in the industry feel likewise based on the growing comments we witness on social media alone. Will we change the industry in one morning? No. Can we utilise this opportunity to start a coordinated change? We hope so.
Steve and Tom will be touring Italy and France between 22-27 September, please get in touch to arrange a visit.
3 September 2025
New Edition - IAMSAR Volume III and List IV
IAMSAR Volume III
This publication is state mandated under most flags and is published as a new edition every three years.
The next is forecast for release in Early October '25.
List IV
This publication is essential for maritime radiocommunications, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
A new edition is expected in the 4th Quarter of 2025
