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Managing a commercial vessel or fleet comes with a sea of paperwork – literally! Between logbooks, safety management plans, and maintenance schedules, staying organised is no small feat. And how is one supposed to keep all this paperwork on a vessel where things get wet all the time?
Luckily, digital technology is there to help.
These five apps will streamline your workflow and keep your operations running smoothly.
1) Offshore SMS
The Offshore SMS App was designed and built right here in Tasmania, Australia, by a small team of commercial vessel operators and software developers with a passion for the marine industry. Initially set up to digitalise your Safety Management System (SMS) to avoid having to carry all your paperwork onboard your vessel, it now offers a variety of handy features that make life (and work) on the water much easier.
You can choose a plan that works best for you. Some of the main features are:
- Digital Safety Management System
- Digital Logbook
- Maintenance Schedule
- Crew and Asset Management Tool
They also offer additional services you can book, like training and assistance with writing your Safety Management System.
2) First Mate
Yet another fantastic Australian invention is the First Mate App, designed as a digital platform that supports both community engagement and maintenance management.
If you are looking for a simple app as a digital replacement for paper logbooks, allowing you to track maintenance schedules and connect with the boating community, First Mate offers just that! And the best thing about the app is that it’s completely free of charge.
These are the main features of the First Mate app:
- Maintenance Tracking and Reminders
- Document Management
- Community Hub
An upcoming feature called SOS Assist is in the making, which will allow users to alert emergency services or nearby vessels with just a few taps and share information about your vessel’s location and situation.
3) Tracket
Tracket is a versatile app that brings together everything you need to manage your vessel in one place. Whether you’re an individual owner or a fleet manager, Tracket simplifies document management, expense tracking, and maintenance schedules, ensuring smooth operations at all times.
You can choose between a free or a paid plan. These are the main features:
- Maintenance Records
- Checklists
- Document Management
- Expense Tracking
- Reminders
- Trips Log
The idea for Tracket came from a commercial airline pilot with a long love for the marine world. The modern and clean design of this app really stands out.
4) Sea Flux
Designed with fleet managers in mind, Sea Flux offers a comprehensive solution for vessel operations. It simplifies everything from maintenance scheduling and safety management to crew tracking and reporting. This app is handy for larger fleets that need to centralise their data and streamline operations.
Sea-Flux offers three packages: Basic, Essentials, and Advanced. The long list of features includes:
- SMS Documents
- Logbook
- Incident and Event Reporting
- Drills
- Maintenance Schedule
- Job List
- Crew Particulars and Training
- Health and Safety
- Much more
Additional staff or crew members are not charged extra; pricing is per vessel.
5) Marinus Maritime Rules
Our last app on the list is the Marinus Maritime Rules App. Navigation rules are complex, but Marinus Maritime Rules simplifies them into an easy-to-understand format. Whether you’re a new operator or a seasoned professional, this app is an essential resource for memorising navigation rules and testing your knowledge. It allows you to carry the International Regulations for Collisions at Sea (IRPCS / ColRegs) in your pocket and includes a nifty interactive quiz.
These are the main features of the Marinus Maritime Rules App:
- Maritime Flags
- Navigational Sounds
- Navigational Lights
- Day Shapes
- Buoys (IALA)
- Radio Guidelines
- ColRegs
- Quiz
Pro features can be accessed with an affordable annual subscription.
Why These Apps Matter
With these tools, commercial vessel operators can simplify their daily operations, reduce paperwork, easily remember their maintenance and training schedules, and ultimately focus on what matters most: safe and effective vessel management. We hope that these apps can provide solutions that save you time, reduce errors, and help you stay compliant with maritime regulations.
Disclaimer
ADEC Kedge has not been paid or endorsed to promote any of the solutions mentioned in this article. These are simply tools we believe can make life easier for commercial vessel operators. We recommend them based on their features and usefulness, and they are solutions we would consider using ourselves. Our goal is to share valuable resources with our community to help improve efficiency, safety, and compliance in vessel operations.
