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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Title 49 CFR Explained for Shipping and Transportation

Title 49 CFR Explained for Shipping and Transportation

Anyone who ships, carries, or handles hazardous materials in the United States operates under one set of rules: Title 49 of the Code of F...

Fire Safety Inspections Checklist for Ships

Fire Safety Inspections Checklist for Ships

Fire is one of the most dangerous emergencies aboard a vessel. A fire that goes undetected or uncontrolled can destroy a ship faster than...

What Is a Marine Navigation Kit and What Does It Include?

What Is a Marine Navigation Kit and What Does It Include?

Even on a vessel equipped with ECDIS, GPS, and AIS, there are situations where the only thing standing between a safe fix and a lost posi...

What Is Maritime Law and Why Does It Matter?

What Is Maritime Law and Why Does It Matter?

Every commercial vessel afloat operates within a legal framework that is older than most nations. Maritime law, also known as admiralty l...

Step-by-Step Guide to Dead Reckoning Navigation

Step-by-Step Guide to Dead Reckoning Navigation

When GPS goes down, radar fails, or the sky is too overcast for a celestial fix, a navigator still needs to know where the vessel is. Dea...