Charles Hays
Written by

Charles Hays

Author / Contributor

Charles Hays is the Sales & Marketing Manager at American Nautical Services, where he has spent nearly 17 years helping captains and chief officers of 500 GT+ yachts keep their ECDIS systems and digital chart libraries current, secure, and Flag State inspection-ready. Certified in ECDIS and holding an MBA from Florida State University, he also oversees the companys ISO 9001 Quality Management System, giving him a front-row view of what inspectors look for and where vessels fall short. Through his work at American Nautical Services and his weekly newsletter Bridge Watch, Charles covers chart compliance, Flag State requirements, and the regulatory updates that matter most to working maritime professionals.

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Different Stages of Ship Design: Explained Step by Step

Different Stages of Ship Design: Explained Step by Step

Building a ship is fundamentally different from manufacturing other large structures. Every vessel begins as an idea, refined through mul...

Port and Starboard Of Vessels Explained: A Complete Guide

Port and Starboard Of Vessels Explained: A Complete Guide

When you step aboard any vessel, clear communication becomes essential for safety. Mariners have used the terms port and starboard for ce...

Essential Boat Safety Checklist and Required Marine Equipment

Essential Boat Safety Checklist and Required Marine Equipment

Recreational boaters face strict federal safety equipment requirements that many discover only during Coast Guard inspections. Vessels ge...

Understanding Ship Horn Signals: What They Actually Mean

Understanding Ship Horn Signals: What They Actually Mean

Maritime sound signals serve as critical communication between vessels, particularly when visibility drops to nothing, and navigation rel...