Taiwan to launch marine navigation app Nov. 1

Taipei, Oct. 16 (CNA) The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) will roll out a "Taiwan Marine Chart App" on Nov. 1 to enhance maritime safety for small vessels, offering features such as navigation positioning, port searches and real-time weather and ocean condition updates.

Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) told a press conference Thursday that small boats, yachts and fishing vessels not covered under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) are often not equipped with Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), putting them at higher risk of maritime accidents.

To address this, the MOI began developing the app early last year, using internationally issued electronic navigation chart data but tailoring it for non-SOLAS vessels, Liu said.

Available on both the App Store and Google Play, the app will feature navigation tools, quick searches for ports and landmarks, route plotting, chart management and marine and meteorological information, she added.

Land Administration Department Director-General Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) said the app integrates GPS with digital marine charts and real-time data such as tides and currents.

Users can access live updates online or download maps for offline use, helping reduce risks from reliance on captains' experience or unofficial charts, he said.

Lin added that the app covers waters around Taiwan and can also be used by divers, as it includes markers to help them avoid fishing routes and pinpoint their location. In emergencies, coast guard personnel can also use the data for search and rescue operations.

The app will be free for the first six months, after which the ministry may decide to introduce subscription fees, Lin said.

It will also support public- and private-sector applications such as vessel monitoring, maritime accident investigations, disaster prevention, ecological conservation, coastal management and marine recreation, Lin added.