Tracking trial

New feature for some classes at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week

Aberdeen Asset Management backers of Cowes Week are providing support for a live GPS boat tracking system trial at this year’s regatta. The ‘ngTrack’ system, developed by NGR, uses competitors’ own smartphones instead of expensive dedicated tracking devices, to monitor the locations of boats taking part.

Position data is transmitted in real-time to the regatta HQ and is available to view online through a simple, easy-to-use viewer. The system is being trialed with the IRC Class 0, Dragon and Multihull classes this year, but Aberdeen hope to extend the facility to the wider Cowes Week fleet in 2012.

Commenting on this year’s tracking trial, CWL Chief Executive, Stuart Quarrie commented: ”I have been keen to secure a tracking solution for the regatta for some time and this trial bodes well for a total solution in future years. Being able to track the fleet will be a huge bonus from both a spectator and race management viewpoint."

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said: “The new tracking system is something we’re really pleased to have been able to support in our first year at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. At Aberdeen we are aiming to help enhance the event and hopefully this cutting-edge GPS tracking system trial will do just that for all those taking part. We are very much looking forward to receiving feedback from these initial trials to find out if this initiative has been the success we all hope it will be so that we can look to extend it to the whole fleet in 2012.”