Getting started with Mariner™

Mariner is an extremely flexible marine navigation system that can be used for viewing charts, tracking the current GPS position, plotting routes, etc.

The main Mariner display is divided into a number of sections as shown in this screenshot

• At the top of the display is the main menu that is used to control most of the functions of Mariner.
• On the left of the display is a toolbar with shortcuts to some of the most commonly used tools
• The very bottom of the Mariner display is divided into 3 message areas:
  • The latitude/longitude coordinates of the mouse pointer are shown in the left corner. This function is only available when the mouse pointer is over a chart.
  • The state of the GPS feed is in the right corner. When GPS data is being received it will be green. If there is a problem with the GPS feed this indicator will be either yellow or red, depending on the nature of the problem.
  • The center section is reserved for messages
• Finally the entire central section of the Mariner display is reserved for displaying instruments. This central section is composed of workspaces that may be accessed by clicking on the tabs that are displayed across the top.
  • Each tab is a link to an independent workspace that can be configured with instruments as you see fit. You may want to set up multiple workspaces to provide different screen layouts for different situations or perhaps to provide a different combination of instruments.
  • Each workspace is divided into 3 sections: left, right, and bottom.
  • Each section may have a number of instruments with the left and right section organizing the instruments vertically, and the bottom section organizing its instruments horizontally.
  • The relative size of each section may be adjusted by dragging the divider bar separating it from the other sections. To minimize or maximize a section click on the arrows located on each divider bar.
  • To add an instrument to a section just click the right button mouse button in that section and select the instrument you wish to add. When a particular section already has an instrument you may add another one by right-clicking the instrument and selecting "Add instrument" at the bottom of the pop-up menu.
  • To add, rename, or delete a workspace just click the right mouse button over an existing tab. You cannot delete the last workspace.
• In the example shown above the screen has been configured with a large area chart on the left for a good perspective of the overall environment, a highly zoomed in chart on the right for up-close detail, and a position, compass, speedometer, clock, and stopwatch across the bottom.
• Another configuration (actually this is one of the other tabs in the same configuration) is below. In this case all available screen real estate has been allocated to a large chart. The chart colors are set to "Dusk" for better visibility in a low light.

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Mariner has many functions and the best way to learn is to read the help pages and to experiment with the various settings and features. Below are a few quick instructions to get you started quickly:
• It is possible to use Mariner without charts. However to get the most from the system you should acquire a set of charts. We strongly recommend KAP format charts from the United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). You may download these charts from NOAA or purchase them on DVD together with Mariner.
• In addition to the KAP charts, Mariner also supports non-encrypted BSB/NOS format charts distributed by Softcharts. This is the older format of chart distributed by Softcharts on behalf of the US NOAA.
• If you have acquired the charts, the first thing you should do is tell Mariner where they are. To do this select Charts from the File menu and import the charts from the location where you placed them.
• Next, if you have a GPS device attached, select GPS from the File menu and select the serial port to which the GPS device is connected.
• Finally, place the mouse over a section of the current workspace, click the right mouse button and select an instrument to add.
• If while using Mariner™ you find yourself in need of help you may select "Help" from any instrument option menu or select Help in the main Mariner™ menu or press the F1 key at any time. For your convenience the full on-line help text is available here.

Now just experiment and enjoy!