Pretty much everything in 2016 runs on computers. Something is either linked by a computer, or it has computer functionality built in. Your phone is essentially a small computer that’s actually more powerful than any computer used a decade ago. Your car, unless it’s more than twenty years old, contains a computer that regulates pretty much every aspect of its operation. You probably use a computer regularly at your job. When you go into a fast food restaurant, you might order on a computer. Since almost every aspect of the 21st century is optimized to run with computers, you should definitely have one on your boat. An industrial embedded computer on your boat keeps you in touch with the world around you, as well as keeping you safer when you’re out on the water.
Safety Features
The Internet keeps human beings connected around the world in a way that they have never been connected before. You can talk with a person halfway around the world in real time. At any time of day, you can connect with practically anyone with an Internet connection. When you’re sitting in your house or a coffee shop, this is a great way to stay in touch with friends. When you’re out on the open water, it could be the thing that saves your life.
Staying connected with aid services and potential rescuers is absolutely crucial if something should go wrong while you’re out at sea. You need to be able to contact the proper authorities. The ability to send out a distress signal can be the deciding factor in being rescued. However, the ability to speak to aid workers and experts in real time can be the factor that allows you to repair your boat. Often, an expert can talk you through some kind of mishap and keep you safe. You have to make sure that your computer can handle it, though.
A Marine Computer
You can’t rely on just any computer for your boating needs. You need an industrial embedded computer capable of withstanding the rigors of marine use. The computer needs to be resistant to rust and corrosion. Stainless steel resists rusting and corrosion even when faced with saltwater. Your marine computer needs to be shock-resistant as well. Electronics are obviously susceptible to shorting out or electrocuting the user if they get wet. A marine computer specifically designed for your needs will not put you at risk of electrocution.
Computers designed for use on boats are designed to resist against vibration as well. Vibrations tend to shake things loose and cause devices to cease functioning. A vibration resistant computer can withstand choppy water and keep on ticking. That’s what you need when the situation becomes dire.