NAVIGUIDE for Berry-Mappemonde optimal routing

💎 The Idea

The Challenge

Planning a 36-month sailing circumnavigation connecting 13 French overseas territories across 45,000 nautical miles, three years before departure, requires reliable data to secure funding, build a crew, and ensure safety. Current tools (OpenCPN + Weather Routing and Climatology plugins) rely on general historical meteorological data that lacks the precision and integration needed for complex expedition planning.

Real-World Impact: Berry-Mappemonde Expedition

The Berry-Mappemonde expedition faces concrete challenges that NAVIGUIDE addresses:

Critical Weather Windows

• Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon requires precise timing due to North Atlantic weather patterns

• Cape of Good Hope passage demands optimal conditions

• Panama Canal transit scheduling within cyclone avoidance windows

Cyclone Season Navigation

• Caribbean: (Cat 1-5 hurricanes)

• Indian Ocean (intense tropical cyclones)

• Pacific: (typhoons in South Pacific)

• Routes must be timed to avoid these deadly periods entirely

Communication Dead Zones

• Central Pacific Ocean: 2,000+ nautical miles without reliable connectivity

• Southern Indian Ocean: Limited satellite coverage

Multi-Year Planning Complexity

• 2027-2030 timeline requires credible, evidence-based routing

• Insurance companies demand data-driven risk assessment

• Banks require technical feasibility proof before financing

• Crew recruitment depends on demonstrable safety planning

The Problem Statement

More than 10,000 sailboats undertake long ocean voyages annually, yet they face a critical gap: the space between overwhelming satellite data and actionable navigation decisions. This isn't just a technical problem—it's human. Sailors have passion and courage, but the question "Am I ready?" remains unanswered without reliable decision-support tools.

Current limitations:

• General historical data lacks route-specific precision

• No integration of multiple European space technologies

• No comparative analysis between intuitive vs. optimized routes

• Limited decision support for ocean passages

🛰️ The Solution: NAVIGUIDE

NAVIGUIDE transforms uncertainty into informed decisions by combining five European space technologies into a unified maritime navigation intelligence platform.

Core Innovation: Waypoint Intelligence System

NAVIGUIDE provides:

• Comparative Route Analysis: Visual comparison between intuitive maritime routes and satellite-optimized routes

• Proactive Danger Detection: Automatic flagging of dangerous conditions (wind >35kn, swell >3.5m, cyclone zones)

• Historical Weather Integration: 10+ years of climatological data from Copernicus Sentinel missions

• Real Boat Performance Data: Route optimization based on actual vessel characteristics (46-foot catamaran)

• Visual Safety Indicators: Red waypoints for danger zones, green for safe passage, yellow for caution areas

Five European Space Technologies

🌊 Copernicus Marine Data Store Sentinel

Comprehensive Ocean Analysis - Integrated

• Sea surface temperature

• Significant wave height

• Weather patterns and model validation

• Value: Multi-year climatological analysis on planned segments with validation against existing datasets

• Integration: Historical trend analysis + condition monitoring

In the future : 

🛰 Galileo — Precise Positioning & Navigation

• High Accuracy Service (HAS) with 20cm accuracy for critical waypoints

• Value: Precise route calculation for straits, coastal approaches, and hazardous passages

• Integration: Coordinates transmitted via KINÉIS during expedition

📡 EGNOS — Real-Time Satellite Corrections

• Data: Differential corrections improving accuracy to 1-3m

• Value: Enhanced safety for coastal and port approaches throughout overseas territories

• Integration: Complements Galileo for reliable coastal navigation verification

💬 KINÉIS — Satellite IoT Communication

• Nanosatellite constellation with UHF transmission (~401MHz)

• Value: Maintains connectivity in dead zones (2,000+ nm from land)

• Integration: Position reporting, weather updates, emergency communications in remote areas

📲 IRIS² — High-Speed Satellite Broadband

• Next-generation EU satellite constellation 

• Value: Overcomes connectivity dead zones for data-intensive applications

• Enables real-time route optimization and weather model downloads at sea

Technology Synergy

An integrated system:

1. Planning Phase (Pre-2027): Copernicus provides historical analysis for route development

2. Preparation Phase (2027): Galileo/EGNOS validate waypoints and coastal approaches

3. Expedition Phase (2027-2030): KINÉIS maintains communications, IRIS² enables data transfer

4. Real-Time Optimization: All technologies combine for continuous route adjustment

🎯 Hackathon Minimum Viable Application

1. Interactive Route Visualization

• Web-based map showing Berry-Mappemonde preliminary route

• All mandatory waypoints (Berry → 13 overseas territories → La Rochelle return)

• Realistic maritime routing (no land crossings, respects navigation constraints)

2. Climatological Analysis Dashboard

• Identify favorable/unfavorable periods by segment using Sentinel data

• Visual indicators for cyclone seasons, trade winds, weather windows

• Historical wave height and wind speed analysis (10-year datasets)

3. Comparative Route Analysis

• "Intuitive Route" (direct great circle paths) vs. "Satellite-Optimized Route"

• Danger zone identification

• Quantified risk assessment based on historical conditions

4. Tracking Prototype

• Real-time monitoring simulation using web dashboard

• Position reporting and alert system mockup

Technical Implementation

Data Sources:

• Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem (CDSE)

• API (Process, Statistical, Catalog)

• Nautical charts data

Development Stack:

• Frontend: React.js with MapLibre for interactive maps

• Backend: Python API for Sentinel data processing

🚀 Post-Hackathon Roadmap

Phase 1: MVP Enhancement (2025-2026)

• Complete Berry-Mappemonde route validation with full weather analysis

• Integrate real KINÉIS API for tracking system

• Develop for at-sea use

• Create CDSE JupyterLab plugin for researchers

Phase 2: Expedition Deployment (2027-2030)

• Field testing across 36-month Berry-Mappemonde expedition

• Real-time data collection and system refinement

• Content generation for marketing and media partnerships

• Proof of concept in extreme conditions (3 oceans, 13 territories)

Phase 3: Market Expansion (2030+)

• Commercial platform launch for individual sailors (10,000+ annual ocean voyages)

• Partnership with maritime rallies (ARC Rally, World ARC, Groupama Race)

• Integration with insurance companies for data-driven risk assessment

• Collaboration with coast guards and rescue operations

🇪🇺 EU Space for Consumer Experience

Challenge #3: Beyond Horizons – Redefining Travel with Space Innovation

NAVIGUIDE directly addresses the tourism challenge by making expedition planning accessible for French Overseas territories and beyond:

1. Safer Travel Experiences

• Satellite data identifies favorable weather windows 3 years in advance

• Reduces planning uncertainty for multi-year expeditions

• Demonstrates how space technology makes navigation safer to remote territories

2. Sustainable Exploration

• Route optimization minimizes engine fuel consumption in windless zones

• Weather routing reduces emissions from inefficient passages

3. Public Engagement & Education

• Real-time tracking dashboard allows global audience to follow expedition

• Popularizes European space technologies through accessible storytelling

4. Reproducibility & Democratization

• Tool serves other sailors planning overseas territory voyages

• Proves European space technologies benefit average citizens, not just professionals

• Creates pathway for community-driven maritime exploration

Real Value Proposition: A concrete use case demonstrating that European space technologies can help an ordinary citizen plan an extraordinary journey and inspire their community.

💼 Business Model & Market Opportunity

First Customer: Berry-Mappemonde Expedition

The expedition serves as our Minimum Viable Application:

• 36 months of real-world field validation

• Content generation for marketing and media partnerships

• Proof of concept in extreme conditions (Atlantic, Indian, Pacific oceans)

• Credibility builder for future commercial partnerships

Target Markets

🏆 Maritime Rallies & Regattas (Primary Market)

• Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC): 200+ boats annually

• World ARC: Global circumnavigation rally

• Groupama Race and other international events

• Value: Fleet safety management, route optimization, tracking services

💼 Maritime Insurance & Risk Experts (High-Value B2B)

• Data-driven risk assessment for premium calculations

• Historical route analysis for underwriting decisions

• Real-time monitoring for insured vessels

• Value: Reduced claims through better planning

🚨 Authorities & Rescue Operations (Public Sector)

• Coast guards and maritime safety agencies

• Search and rescue coordination

• Traffic management in congested waters

• Value: Enhanced situational awareness and response capability

📚 Research Organizations (Academic/Government)

• Space agencies studying maritime applications

• Oceanographic institutes analyzing climate patterns

• Universities researching navigation optimization

• Value: Open-source for research-grade analysis

📰 Media & Storytelling (Content Partners)

• Documentary production companies

• Expedition journalism outlets

• Educational content creators

• Value: Compelling narrative + technical credibility

⛵ Individual Sailors (Consumer Market)

• 10,000+ long-distance ocean voyages annually

• Market opener for weekend sailors planning extended cruises

• Liveaboard cruisers in coastal waters

• Value: Affordable route planning and safety tools

📔 Expedition Followers (Community Engagement)

• Maritime enthusiasts following expeditions

• Families tracking loved ones at sea

• Educational institutions using live expeditions for teaching

• Value: Public engagement with space technology applications

Revenue Model

• Freemium App: Basic route planning free, advanced features subscription

• B2B Licensing: Insurance companies, rally organizers, maritime authorities

• Content Partnerships: Media companies for expedition tracking and storytelling

🤼 The Team

Core Team (5 Members)

Matthew @zayqo — Lead Developer & Video Artist

• Primary software development and technical implementation

• Full-stack development expertise

Adrian @dsu4 — Tech Analyst & Satellite IoT Engineer

• KINÉIS and satellite IoT integration specialist

• European space technology consultant

Sébastien @darkskyseb — Meteorology Expert & Weather Forecasting

• Professional weather analysis and climatology

• Sentinel data interpretation for maritime conditions

• Route weather window identification

Dileep @dileepmatrix — Developer & Communications & Vision Challenger

• Software development

• Vision and business model development

Clément @berrymappemonde — Maritime Expedition Leader

• Vision of NAVIGUIDE

• Public Relations and stakeholder engagement

• Presenter for pitch and demonstrations

Team Strengths

Geographic Advantage: Based in New Caledonia (Pacific Ocean) with direct access to challenging maritime environments for real-world testing and validation.

Diverse Expertise: Technical development, maritime operations, meteorology, communications, and business skills represented.

International Collaboration: Distributed team across multiple time zones with remote work coordination experience.

NAVIGUIDE Human Resources Philosophy

"Cherish every talented person like a pirate's treasure"

Our principles:

• No Traditional Interviews: We don't select workers; we unlock potential within an enthusiastic international team

• Inclusive Culture: No one sidelined or excluded—every contribution valued

• Development Focus: Everything done to ensure everyone gives their best and develops opportunities

• Remote-Friendly: Seeking co-teammates worldwide with special attention to time zone management (like watch shifts on a boat)

• Growth Mindset: Seeking perfect integration 

🎯 Success Metrics

Hackathon (48 hours)

• ✅ Functional interactive map with 15 Berry-Mappemonde waypoints

• ✅ Climatological analysis for at least 3 route segments

• ✅ Comparative visualization: intuitive vs. optimized routes

• ✅ Tracking prototype demonstration

Post-Hackathon (2025-2027)

• Complete Berry-Mappemonde route validation and approval

• Secure expedition funding through demonstrated technical feasibility

• Build crew based on data-driven safety planning

• Launch MVP website for beta testing

Expedition Phase (2027-2030)

• Navigate 45,000 nautical miles using NAVIGUIDE

• Number of related incidents attributable to route planning

• Tracking system available

• Generate quality documentary content

🌍 Impact Statement

NAVIGUIDE makes it plannable.

Empowering sailors 

Confidence, data, and safety

Real people, true journeys

NAVIGUIDE: Turning European Space Data into Extraordinary Global Maritime Voyages

SAFER • SMARTER • OPTIMIZED

Ready to sail with us?