Modern Solutions for a Persistent Problem
Orca was founded by three Norwegian marine electronic engineers—Amir, Jorge, and Kristian—who were driven by a simple but crucial question: Why do over 70% of boaters with a dedicated marine navigation system still rely on mobile apps when planning and navigating? The answer they discovered came from listening to skippers around the world: existing marine electronics often felt clunky, outdated, and disconnected from real-time data. At sea, boaters struggled with devices that loaded slowly, lacked internet connectivity, and were no more intuitive than old-fashioned car satnavs.
Although mobile apps were easier to use, they also presented challenges. How often have I been out on my boat, my mobile phone refusing to charge due to moisture issues, or overheating after I’ve accidentally left it in the sun, or there’s not enough sun to help me properly charge my phone? It’s very stressful, and really inconvenient. Inspired by these challenges that happen to many of us, Orca set out to develop a marine navigation system that would integrate the robust technology of traditional marine devices with the convenience and intuitiveness of mobile apps.
Introducing Orca: The Marine Co-Pilot
The result is the Orca navigation system, designed to simplify the boating experience. Orca’s system features two key components: the Orca Display 2 and the Orca Core 2. The Orca Display 2 is an ultra-bright, marine-grade tablet with Orca’s Lumen HDX screen technology and an advanced 8-core processor. This high-performance display is built to withstand the demands of open water while delivering crisp, clear visuals in any weather.
Complementing the Display 2, the Orca Core 2 smart hub connects seamlessly with boat sensors, radar, and autopilot systems. It even includes an integrated compass and GPS, acting as the central control for the boat’s navigation instruments. Together, these components give boaters an intuitive and resilient chartplotter experience, providing real-time weather updates, AIS integration for vessel tracking, and automatic route planning—all with the tap of a screen.
Customised for Oceania: Charts for New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands
Orca’s expansion into Oceania brings with it a range of specially developed charts tailored to the unique coastlines of New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific islands. Built from a mix of hydrographic data, private sources, and Orca’s in-house collections, these charts offer the highest level of detail and reliability. For New Zealand boaters, this means the freedom to navigate with charts that have been designed with local waters in mind.
The Orca Ecosystem: Seamless, Connected Navigation
With the Orca system, boaters are no longer limited to one navigation device. Orca’s app is available for free download from the Apple App Store and Google Play, allowing users to sync their charts and navigation data across multiple devices—from the Orca Display to personal smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. This flexibility means skippers can plan routes on their phone and then transfer seamlessly to the Orca Display for real-time navigation.
For those looking for a fully integrated experience, the Orca app offers optional in-app purchases to expand its functionality. But even without these, the free app provides an impressive range of features, including automatic route planning, AIS vessel tracking, and up-to-date weather data.
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For those keen to explore the Orca system, the Orca Display 2 and Orca Core 2 are available at www.getorca.com. With this launch, Orca is inviting skippers across Oceania to experience a new level of navigation, one that combines confidence and convenience in every journey.
