Want to find a social network of like-minded ocean lovers: sailors, powerboaters, divers, surfers, kayakers, wind/kite surfers and ocean conservationists…?
Wish you had a one-stop-shop for all your ocean needs on the Web?
With the birth of BlooSee — a San-Francisco-based start-up that envisions a world where everyone with a passion for the ocean can access trusted, up-to-date information anytime, anywhere — this is now reality.
BlooSee.com harnesses the best oceanic information and makes it accessible and useful to everyone, said Pedro Valdeolmillos, CEO and co-founder of this innovative website. And now Summer Sailstice is partnering with BlooSee.com to provide real-time marine data, and social networking for people with passion for our oceans.
Among other things, the site provides official and user-generated sailing routes, anchorages, dive spots, surf spots, sea sanctuaries, and the best beaches, restaurants, hotels, marinas and shops for travelers. Official information from organizations such as the NOAA and British Admiralty plus dynamic real-time marine data rounds out the mix.
On the site you can join interesting groups and engage in social networking, make friends, share stories and get information from a network of mariners who have been to places you want to go. Access nautical charts, use BlooSee’s geo-locating system and maps, get wind, weather and other marine data, use navigational aids and get it free. The site is easily accessed by cell phones, tablets and other devices, with an app designed especially for iPhone and iPad helps users fully access the site.
The founders also are developing advanced premium services for individuals, marinas and businesses, such as an offline version of the mobile application, certain proprietary nautical charts and electronic pilot books. Serendipitously, BlooSee is now collaborating with our long-time partner Sailors for the Sea (SailorsForTheSea.org), which educates and engages the boating community in its worldwide effort to protect the oceans. Marine life and vital coastal habitats are straining under increasing pressure from global use. The ocean, once considered inexhaustible and resilient is, in fact, finite and fragile and requires great care from all of us. Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to preserving the health of the oceans.
Access a map of the world with different type of ocean-oriented markers
•The map has different types of what we call "infopoints" (markers) that cover all the needs of sailors: marinas, anchorages, moorings, dangers, aids to navigation, etc. There are different infopoint categories, which are color-coded, and which can be turned on and off, to make sure users always find what they're looking for.
•Any registered user can contribute information, creating new infopoints or editing the existing ones.
•Individual infopoints or regions of the map can be shared or embedded in other websites.
•Routes can be created on the map, and distances calculated easily.
•It is possible to go to exact locations on the world by entering names of places or exact GPS coordinates.
•Photos and videos can be uploaded easily to those infopoints (want to know how an anchorage looks like before you go, or are you curious about an underwater museum?)
•NOAA charts are integrated on the map, and can be selected on and off.
•Wind forecast can be overlaid directly on the map, for any region of the world (data provided by NOAA). Currently with a 24- hour forecast, including wind direction and speed.
A social network of ocean-loving individuals
•Users can connect with like-minded people, see what information they have contributed to the chart, what groups they belong to, etc. It is possible to follow other users' activity, see the places they've been to or like.
•They can engage in conversations in forums, or directly by messaging one another.
•Companies or organizations can create their own pages (for boat owners associations, race organizers, etc.)
A boat database with designs and actual boats from members
•A boat directory that includes actual boats the users have contributed, with technical info and pictures.
•A generic design database makes it easy to get technical information for a new design, or create a boat based on a new design.
•Users can also follow boats (tall ships, race boats, their friends' boat, etc.).
•The boat database is currently in beta and includes only sailboats, but it is growing and being refined every day. It will have different types of boats in the near future.
BlooSee's List of partners (so far)
OCSC Sailing (www.ocscsailing.com)
Waterway Guide (www.waterwayguide.com)
Blue Frontier Campaign (www.bluefront.org)
Sailors for the Sea (www.sailorsforthesea.org)
Marine Watch (www.marinewatch.org)
Magnetic Junction (www.magneticjunction.com)
Port Booker (www.portbooker.com)
Summer Sailstice (www.summersailstice.com) Hey, that's us!
