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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GNSS Spoofing vs. Jamming: What It Means at Sea

GNSS Spoofing vs. Jamming: What It Means for Bridge Navigation

The blue dot on the ECDIS can lie. In several of the world's busiest waterways, a receiver can display a confident, stable position that ...

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Strait of Hormuz Transit Guidance 2026 Explained

Strait of Hormuz Transit Guidance 2026: What Changes When the U.S. Advisory Expires

Every U.S. maritime advisory for the Strait of Hormuz carries a printed expiry date. When one lapses, it is not the end of the guidance, ...

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Paper Chart Withdrawal 2026: What UKHO Really Said

Is Paper Chart Withdrawal Actually Happening? What the 2026 UKHO Update Really Says

Word went around the fleet in 2026 that ADMIRALTY paper charts are "here to stay." The reality in the UK Hydrographic Office's own statem...

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ECDIS S-100 Compliance: "Ready" vs. Type-Approved

ECDIS S-100 Compliance: Why "S-100 Ready" Doesn't Mean Type-Approved

Walk a boat show or read a bridge-equipment brochure in 2026 and the same phrases appear on ECDIS units everywhere: "S-100 ready," "S-100...

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