http://oceancruisingclub.org/

The OCC Award, which recognizes valuable service to the OCC or the ocean cruising community as a whole, goes to David Register, lead developer of the OpenCPN navigation software. OpenCPN is chart plotter and navigational planning software developed by a team of active sailors using real-world conditions for program testing and refinement. Their motto: “We’re boaters. We’re coders.”

Dave Register initially developed OpenCPN for his own use, as he wasn’t satisfied with commercial products. After other cruisers saw what he was doing, they asked for copies of the software. There are now tens of thousands of active users. OpenCPN.org was created in 2009.

The product, still free of charge, is now available to run on Windows, Mac, and Linux. An Android App version is also available for a small charge in the Android app store. There is even a version for Raspberry Pi. The system is available in 20 different languages and is constantly being improved and updated to keep up with newer charting systems and user requirements. It now incorporates AIS, routes, tidal support and weather. Plug-in modules are available for Climatology, Weather Routing, Weather Fax, Google Earth, Voyage Data Recorder, AIS-radar, SAR, sQuiddio, Radar Overlay, Logbook, and many more.

A network of more than forty volunteer software coders now works to improve the product, update it and expand its capabilities. Dave continues to coordinate this work from his floating home, Dyad, the Big Dumb Boat. See https://www.bigdumboat.com/

Open CPN has made a magnificent contribution to the enjoyment and safety of sailors cruising in small boats, and Dave deserves every bit of recognition for his invention and his ongoing efforts.

https://opencpn.org/