Why subscriptions are an expense even when you’re not sailing
For many vessel operators, sailing isn’t a year-round business. Whether you’re running a charter service that scales back in winter, managing coastal cargo ships that follow seasonal trade routes, or operating passenger vessels that chase the summer sun, you know that flexibility is key to staying profitable.
The challenge? Traditional digital chart subscriptions don’t care if your vessel is tied up at the dock for months. You’re still paying full price, even when you’re not sailing.
That’s where OpenC247 changes the game with its pay-as-you-go charts model. But there’s more to it than just cost.
Let’s explore how this approach supports seasonal operators through their unique challenges.
Smart navigation for changing seasons
Running a seasonal maritime operation comes with its own set of headaches. Your summer routes might take you through busy tourist ports with extended daylight hours and calm seas. Come winter, you’re dealing with shorter days, ice warnings, and completely different ports of call – and for yachts you may not be sailing at all.
Downloading digital charts through OpenC247 allows you to adapt to your seasonal needs without the burden of year-round costs.
Your winter passages likely look nothing like your summer ones. With OpenC247, you only pay for the charts you need – and when you actually need them.
Who is this most relevant for? Here are some examples:
Chartered superyachts: Summer means frequent voyages with custom itineraries with varied ports of call. Winter might mean reduced service, alternative routes to avoid rough seas, or even a complete shutdown for maintenance. Yet with traditional chart services, you’re paying the same monthly fee whether you’re making 10 voyages a month or none at all.
Commercial shipping: Commercial shipping is less affected by the winter/summer seasons, and more by freight demand/rates and trade flows. However dry-bulk, tanker and LNG markets show clear monthly/seasonal patterns driven by harvests, heating demand, construction cycles and so on. These demands also affect cargo flows, where demand can intensify for similar reasons. But where consistent routes are plotted by vessels, there is little need for extra charts because routes do not tend to change. So why have a subscription, when a 3, 6 or 12-month chart licence would suffice?
Real-time chart updates when you need them
One of the biggest advantages of going digital and pay-as-you-go is the ability to maintain multiple route plans without drowning in paperwork. Your vessel might have:
- a winter route with shorter legs and frequent shelter options.
- a summer route that maximizes efficiency with longer passages.
- alternative plans for shoulder seasons when weather is unpredictable.
Having digital charts that are consistently updated – for free during the life of the licence – means you’re never caught out by outdated information. And when you’re not sailing? You’re not paying.
With OpenC247, critical updates come to you automatically:
- Notices to Mariners
- Tidal warnings
- Navigational hazards
- Temporary restrictions
Whether your vessel is operating in local port time or UTC, you’ll have the current information you need to keep your crew and cargo safe.
Not to forget digital publications. These can also be frequently updates and as an OpenC247 user you’ll also have access to the latest versions.
Compliance without the complications
Seasonal operations often mean switching between different regulatory jurisdictions. Our digital chart solutions make compliance straightforward by ensuring you have the certificates you need – providing clear audit trails for regulatory inspections, and ensuring you meet SOLAS and national maritime requirements.
This documentation is especially valuable when you’re operating across different seasons, routes and countries.
The bottom line: pay only for what you use
For seasonal operators, OpenC247’s pay-as-you-go model just makes sense. Why pay for chart subscriptions during your off-season? Why maintain expensive annual contracts when you only sail six months of the year?
With OpenC247, you get:
- Admiralty-supplied digital charts when you need them.
- Automatic updates for safety and compliance.
- Flexible access without long-term commitments.
- Significant cost savings during your off-season.
Ready to save?
Whether you’re preparing for your winter season or planning next summer’s operations, OpenC247 gives you the flexibility to access world-class navigation tools on your terms. No subscriptions, no annual contracts, just reliable digital charts when you need them.
Because in seasonal operations, every penny counts – especially the ones you don’t have to spend when you’re not sailing.
Visit our ‘How it works’ page to learn how pay-as-you-go navigation can transform your seasonal operations.