A brief look into how maritime technology has evolved in the Maldives to improve safety and decision making for seafarers.
In the vast expanse of the open sea, where horizon meets sky, the journey of seafarers has been shaped by a tapestry of evolving technologies. From the ancient days of stars and magnetic compasses to the dawn of the 21st century, the maritime industry of Maldives has witnessed a remarkable transformation, empowering seafarers to navigate with unprecedented accuracy and confidence.
Stars: Ancient Guides Across the Sky
Despite the absence of modern scientific navigational tools, early seafarers found their way by relying on constellations as their celestial guides. The Pole Star, known as Gahaa to the Maldivian sailors, was difficult to sight in an equatorial country as it lies too low on the horizon. Hence, seafarers used a constellation called Ursa Major or the Great Bear to locate the Pole Star.
With that knowledge gained over hundreds of generations, seafarers were able to travel to India, Sri Lanka, Africa, South East Asia and West Asia. However, as the sun dipped below the edge of the world, uncertainty often cast a shadow over their voyages.
Magnetic Compass
Then, the magnetic compass emerged as a lodestar, pointing steadfastly towards the North. A simple but revolutionary tool, it offered sailors a constant companion, unaffected by cloud or storm. This unassuming instrument transformed maritime navigation, ushering in an era of exploration and trade that would reshape the world map.
The compass, known as samuga to Maldivians, is believed to have been brought to the Indian Ocean by the Chinese. However, according to Anthropologist Clarence Maloney, they were only used when sailing to countries away from home, as sailors found their way around the islands using the knowledge gained from familiarity.
Chronometer and Sextant
The 18th century introduced the marine chronometer and sextant to the maritime world, used for determining longitude and latitude in maritime navigation. Captain Moresby, during his visit to the Maldives in the 19th century, observed Maldivians crafting and mending astrolabes, quadrants, and wooden sextants.
Radio Navigation and LORAN
Radios with direction-finding capabilities and LORAN systems brought radio signals into navigation. It served to determine a ship’s position by using radio signals transmitted from fixed ground stations to triangulate its location, particularly in situations where traditional methods were challenging due to weather conditions or visibility.
Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)
During the 20th century, the seas of change brought forth a new chapter in seafaring history. The indigenous charts once used were replaced by Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), born from the marriage of satellite technology and digital mapping. These digital charts, infused with real-time data, reveal the ocean’s secrets in exquisite detail, guiding mariners through labyrinthine waters and past hidden dangers.
Satellite Navigation
A decades later, the beacon of satellite navigation, notably GPS, illuminated the maritime world. This transformative technology revolutionized maritime navigation by providing mariners with unprecedented accuracy, real-time tracking, and a global navigational solution, ensuring safer journeys and more efficient trade routes.
Modern Seafaring
Imagine a seafarer’s journey today: a vessel cutting through the vast expanse of the ocean with a purposeful grace, its sleek hull gliding atop the waves like a silvery arrow. On the bridge, navigational technology orchestrates a symphony of precision. A bank of monitors displays a digital cartography, highlighting the ship’s exact position through the ever-present GPS signal. The captain, standing by the helm, adjusts the course with a gentle touch on the electronic interface, steering clear of unseen obstacles and optimizing the route to minimize fuel consumption.
Charting New Horizons
As the 21st century advances, the evolution continues. Autonomous vessels are emerging on the horizon, powered by artificial intelligence and guided by algorithms. Yet, the spirit of the ancient mariner lives on, seamlessly blending with the marvels of modern technology. Each sunrise brings new possibilities, as seafarers continue their timeless journey, empowered by the tools of the present and the wisdom of the past.
The maritime world has transformed, but the essence remains: the unwavering spirit of seafarers navigating the seas, united across time by a shared voyage into the horizon.
Featured Image: Frank Burnaby
Author: Naza Nazeem
Content writer and marketer experienced in media, hospitality, and technology.
