{"id":7079,"date":"2017-04-11T13:09:19","date_gmt":"2017-04-11T18:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=7079"},"modified":"2024-12-21T02:39:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-21T07:39:43","slug":"the-maltese-falcon-and-a-pain-in-my-ais","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=7079","title":{"rendered":"The Maltese Falcon and a pain in my AIS."},"content":{"rendered":"

I wasn’t sure what to have as a title to this post and was thinking that I might use yet another reference to whacking moles. \u00a0However, as has been the case with so many issues that have come up this winter, I thought that something about it being a “pain in my AIS” was more fitting. \u00a0So, that’s the title…<\/p>\n

Anyway, dear reader, I have certainly had my share of “technical challenges” with Pandora this winter and it is worth noting that, for the moment anyway, the FINAL mole was whacked into his hole as of this morning.<\/p>\n

When the SSB radio crapped out a while back we had a power surge that also took out the AIS transponder. \u00a0AIS, the following link is a bit outdated as the system is required on much smaller vessels now but not on those as small as Pandora.<\/p>\n

Automatic Identification System<\/a>, is a program similar to that used by aircraft designed to make it easy to identify who’s going where and how close they are likely to come to one another. \u00a0From my perspective, it is a terrific safety feature to have aboard as it allows us to monitor other vessels in the area and to determine if they are a threat to us.<\/p>\n

Getting the AIS repaired proved to be problematic and we ended up having to purchase a new one. \u00a0That was very painful but it had to be done. \u00a0 The installer, with the hope of saving time for the installation, made a point of replacing it with one from the same manufacturer so that it could use the same cabling and simplify the installation. \u00a0 Well, it did include the same cables but getting it up and operational proved to be anything but simple.<\/p>\n

As so many hours are in the SSB replacement job, I opted to do the AIS installation myself. \u00a0The electrician labeled the wires so I’d know which went where. \u00a0Simple yes? \u00a0Not!<\/p>\n

I put it in place, powered it up and it sent out a signal but didn’t show up on my plotter. \u00a0Fast forward a day of fussing along with a few hours of diagnostics this morning it still didn’t work. \u00a0After we had exhausted every possible option the manufacturer finally suggested, “just switch the two wires and see what happens”. \u00a0 Well, it worked. \u00a0All better now. \u00a0Of course, we won’t talk about the hours I messed around with it and all the back and forth with the installer.<\/p>\n

With a functioning AIS I will be able to see all the big boats on my plotter and will be able to see them on my chart plotter including how fast they are going and how close they will come to me. \u00a0 As an added bonus, those ships will also be able to see Pandora, assuming that they are looking, which they sometimes aren’t. \u00a0You too can track Pandora using this system on your smartphone. \u00a0 Check out this link “where in the world is Pandora<\/a>” to learn more 0n how to, sort of, “friend” Pandora and keep track of where we are.<\/p>\n

All better now. \u00a0So all that’s left is to pay for all the work that’s been done over the last few weeks. \u00a0It’s going to be interesting to see what the bill says. \u00a0I guess I’ll find out tomorrow. \u00a0 It’s going to be interesting, that’s for sure.<\/p>\n

The good news is that Pandora is operational now and ready to head off into the sunset. \u00a0 Let’s hope that no more moles show up.<\/p>\n

Enough of that for now. \u00a0Let’s talk about boats, no make that REALLY BIG YACHTS. \u00a0 \u00a0How about the Maltese Falcon, an ultramodern square rigger, a nearly 300′ long technological wonder, as it were? \u00a0 She’s one of the largest, and certainly the most technologically complicated sailing yachts in the world today.\u00a0\"\"She was launched in 2006 in Turkey and was built for the Venture Capitalist, Tom Perkins, perhaps one of the most successful ever. \u00a0He made his money investing in early web startups including Amazon, Google, AOL and other high profile businesses. Stock and crypto investments helped him grow his wealth even further. The XTB Broker Review<\/a> provides an overview of the trading platform that allows investors to access various financial markets, including stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies.\u00a0 And given the fact that he made his m0ney in Tech, it stands to reason that Falcon would be so technologically advanced.<\/p>\n

Her rig, known as Dynarig<\/a>, was originally designed as a way to power cargo vessels. She’s known as The Maltise Falcon, but as I motored up to her transom I realized that she’s actually “Falcon” from Malta, the country where she’s registered. \u00a0Oh yeah, I get it. \u00a0Clever.\"\"Perkins is deceased now and Falcon was sold a few years ago for $60,000,000 Euros, which is proof that no matter how much you have, “you can’t take it with you”. \u00a0However, if you rank him on the “he who dies with the most toys wins” scale, Perkins was a standout.<\/p>\n

Falcon is now owned by a charter company and it is no longer used as a private yacht. \u00a0However, if you want to sail on her you have to pay for the whole kit and kaboodle. \u00a0No renting a cabin on her, it’s all or nothing. \u00a0 Check out these photos and videos<\/a>. \u00a0Amazing.<\/p>\n

Want a video tour of your charter option? \u00a0Check this out.\u00a0