Taipei: The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is set to launch the “Taiwan Marine Chart App” on November 1, aimed at improving maritime safety for small vessels. The app offers features including navigation positioning, port searches, and real-time updates on weather and ocean conditions to assist vessels not covered under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
According to Focus Taiwan, Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang announced at a press conference that small boats, yachts, and fishing vessels lacking Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) face higher risks of maritime accidents. The MOI initiated the app’s development early last year, utilizing international electronic navigation chart data and customizing it for non-SOLAS vessels.
The app, available on both the App Store and Google Play, will provide navigation tools, quick searches for ports and landmarks, route plotting, chart management, and access to marine and meteorological information. Land Administration Department Director-General Lin Chia-cheng highlighted the app’s integration of GPS with digital marine charts and real-time data such as tides and currents. Users can access updates online or download maps for offline use, reducing dependency on captains’ experience or unofficial charts.
Lin also mentioned that the app encompasses waters around Taiwan and is versatile enough for divers, featuring markers to avoid fishing routes and pinpoint locations. In emergencies, the app’s data can assist coast guard personnel in search and rescue operations. Initially free for six months, the ministry may later introduce subscription fees. The app supports various applications, including vessel monitoring, maritime accident investigations, disaster prevention, ecological conservation, coastal management, and marine recreation.
