In 2022, Compass made history as the only navigation software to win the prestigious Queen’s Award. But how did this groundbreaking platform come to be? From a bold idea to the world’s leading superyacht navigation management suite, its journey has been one of innovation, and evolution.
We sat down with our own Digital Development Manager Stuart Denham-Harding to explore the origins of Compass, its current impact, and what the future holds for this game-changing software.
The Past
Where did the idea come from?
When was it launched?
And how did it develop in its early stages?
SDH: “To truly explore the conceptual beginnings of the web-based application that became Compass we need to start back in 2016 with Euan Gordon and Michael Hawthorne of NautoShark Ltd. With background experience of software development within the commercial shipping world, NautoShark’s Chart Folio Pro (its project title) was originally designed with the task of storing lists of paper charts, delivering correction files and tracings along with helping crews manage their paper chart correction logs.
Most similar shipboard applications within the same field had, at the time, been designed and developed as installed applications with limited levels of internet connectivity. This arrangement typically led to a limitation of user features, greater demand on local PC storage, increased amounts of technical support, and a restricted ability to adapt software to meet user needs and take advantage of an ever-changing suite of available technologies.
The new approach using a web-based platform allowed for many of these constraints to be lifted, and with the foreseen developments of onboard connectivity advances on the horizon, the stage was set.”
In 2017 DSNM Ltd and NautoShark Ltd came together with a plan to disrupt the yachting market with a new navigational software tool – Compass was born!
DSNM had for many years been supplying and supporting an installed software application called Voyager 7 to service its superyacht clients’ onboard needs, so was well versed with the challenges presented by an installed application, with connectivity and data consumption typically a lot more accessible on superyachts than that of commercial vessels (who’d be counting every kilobyte received or transmitted), along with the growing appetite for a more modernised software service, an opportunity for Compass to get to work presented itself.
“DSNM and NautoShark pressed ahead with the development of Compass, and we began a successful onboard beta testing program in 2018. After that, the path to a version 1 release was aimed for late 2018. By early 2019 we had successfully transferred our entire fleet of superyachts away from Voyager 7 and onto Compass!”
The Present
What has it developed to?
SDH: “As a web-based application, the Compass development team have [over the years] had the ability to incrementally improve Compass’ foundational suite of features, whilst adding new tools to meet expanding user needs and, more importantly, market changes.”
In 2022, the UKHO surprisingly announced that it was due to withdraw from its historically significant and longstanding paper chart program by the end of 2026, citing a significant reduction in paper chart sales. Fast-forward to 2025, and whilst the original proposed end date has now somewhat been muted and seemingly indefinitely extended, the withdrawal of UKHO paper chart coverage quietly continues in the background whilst the superyacht transition to digital charting systems onboard is ever increasing in pace.
Recognising this pending market shift, Compass’ development team altered the road map, placing a renewed focus on advancing the suite of planning tools and features within to better fit with the needs of an increasingly digitally focused superyacht fleet.
Leveraging the longstanding agile development strategy alongside the relative flexibility to move the web-based application into a new direction, Compass saw a gear shift in both the planning and weather features delivered to bridge team users via a Version 2 release during the early part of 2024. This renewed focus, and the features released as a result have seen further refinement over the past year, and in close collaboration with our fantastic Captains and Officers.
“Compass has again been able to disrupt the navigational software mould.”
Reflecting on the journey over the past eight years, the decisions made during this time have ensured that Compass remains in a strong position now and moving forward, enabling it to utilise the latest online mapping technologies and poised to leverage the emerging advancements in AI technology.
The Future
What plans do we have in place for further development? Anything you’re hoping for?
SDH: “Without giving too many secrets away… the speed at which software development takes place in general is only going to increase with the assistance of advancements in AI technologies.
Compass and the Compass development team will continue to leverage AI advances strategically (and subtly) to alter both the way Compass is developed and improve what it will be able to offer its users – all whilst ensuring ease of use is maintained.
Ease of use is particularly important to us. Technical advancements should ease, not increase, the technical complexity of using an application!
Collectively DSNM and the Compass development team have many years of industry experience along with an extensive understanding of the technical world of navigational systems. Alongside this, we maintain a strong insight into the direction international and governmental organisations, along with private stakeholders, are pushing and pulling maritime navigational technology. This valuable oversight will continue to help us position Compass to best support bridge teams into the future.”
