Disclaimer and safety at sea

As sophisticated as navigation software may be, navigation on the water entails fundamental risks for the vessel, crew, and environment. AvNav is a powerful support tool, but it does not, under any circumstances, replace good seamanship, the skipper's sound judgment, or the carrying of official nautical charts. Before AvNav is used on board, the following principles should be read carefully.

• The use of the software is always at your own risk. AvNav is provided as free software without warranty. Neither the developer nor any other contributors assume liability for any direct or indirect damages that may arise from failures, malfunctions, or incorrect calculations.

• It is important to understand that AvNav is not an approved Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) according to SOLAS guidelines. The displayed charts, GPS positions, AIS data, and depth information can be incorrect due to hardware errors, delays in data transmission, inaccurate chart material, or other causes. Official paper charts for the area being navigated as well as traditional navigation instruments must therefore always be on board and used.

• Electronic systems are inherently prone to failure in harsh environments. Water, heat, corroded cables, or a sudden voltage drop in the on-board power supply can lead to the immediate failure of the entire system. Therefore, never rely on a single electronic source of information. Visual observation of the surroundings, classic dead reckoning, and monitoring marine radio always take priority.

• Ultimately, the vessel's master alone bears full responsibility for the safety of the vessel at all times. Warning functions in AvNav, such as collision alarms for AIS or the anchor watch, are purely assistance systems. The absence of an alarm is no guarantee that there is no danger.

Anyone who does not agree with these conditions should not use AvNav for navigating a watercraft.