What Customers Are Saying About the AISWatchMate...

I’ve been using the WatchMate for 6 months now, and have to say it’s a great piece of kit, designed for sailors by sailors. There are two situations where the WatchMate helps me most. One is far offshore where the CPA alarm connected to an external siren jolts me back to reality if I haven’t been paying attention. The other is near and in harbors where the radar-type screen and target list sorted by CPA helps figure out which ships are the biggest threat. That came in very handy a few weeks ago off Miami/Fort Lauderdale when I had 81 AIS targets listed.

Another great feature is the CPA display, which shows where the ship will be AT its closest point of approach. Other AIS systems which only display the CPA distance don’t tell you whether you should turn to starboard, to port, speed up, or slow down to increase the CPA, but its obvious from a glance at the Watchmate’s CPA display.

I just wish that the AIS system and the WatchMate were available years ago—the power drain is a fraction of a radar system, and the range, timeliness and accuracy of the information provided is far superior. I could have avoided a lot of stress and several near-misses, and the ships now answer my radio calls when I identify them by their name.

Don Radcliffe, S/V Klondike, Florida

I have just installed your WatchMate-RX in my sailboat... very cool!

If you ever need a recommendation as to Vesper Marine's customer support, please contact me. You and the company will get whatever is higher than a 5-star/A+!

Chase Coale, Maryland

The WatchMate receiver gives me peace of mind above all else. There is no longer the rising panic, as at a distance, a Panamax “skyscraper” appears to be on an inevitable collision course. “Should I try to call him and ask if he sees us, should I wait, what should I do?” A quick check of the screen shows that I needn’t worry as it is all an optical delusion, and he will pass us with a healthy margin. Monitoring his Rate of Turn and Course on screen confirms the continued safety margin.

The other major bonus is the name of the Panamax displayed on screen. This allows us to call it up by name on the VHF, and there is always an answer. The Captain seems to always be happy for the diversion mid-ocean. This means that we have been able to get local weather information on long passages as we don’t have iridium or weatherfax aboard.

Twice in the South Atlantic, I was able to inform tankers that their AIS transmitter was not functioning. They were able to see my AIS transmissions, but I couldn’t see them on screen. They were both grateful for the information. The WatchMate links us to these big guys as part of their normal navigating and safety network.

The intuitive operating system means that both of my greenhorn crew stepped up to the WatchMate, and were operating it effectively with virtually no formal instruction.

Tony Beks, "Ragin Cajun", North Atlantic heading for Ireland

My WatchMate AIS unit is now installed and I can say that it was one of the most easiest electronic units I have ever fitted on Endless Dream. I switched it on and all the data came up 100%. I feel much happier knowing who and where the ships are, especially in the Mallaca Straits.

I have no hesitation in recommending Vesper Marine to any of the big yachting family for your service and product. Once again, thanks!

Frederick Florian, "Endless Dream", Malaysia