Default weather sources onboard include Navtex weather (text and only in coastal regions) and radio facsimile charts with sometimes poor quality reading, no global coverage and problematic reception during atmospherical disturbances.

Compared to that, SPOS offers a wealth of information to the officers onboard. 99% of masters are positive about SPOS as a valuable tool for navigation.

Advantages of SPOS:

• easy and reliable delivery of a complete weather forecast via e-mail
• clear display of charts on a PC screen on the bridge
• top quality weather forecasts
• no piles of prints but easily accessible information
• route planning facilities
• custom defined weather limits may be set
• vessel position plotting in weather charts

A clear advantage is that data is available on a computer and may therefore be used for optimum voyage planning. SPOS can propose the best route taking wind waves and currents into account. However the master stays in control: SPOS is an advisory system.