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FastSeas is a weather routing and passage planning tool for sailors. It calculates the fastest and most comfortable route between two points using NOAA GFS and ECMWF weather forecasts, ocean surface current data, your vessel's performance, and your own comfort criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What weather forecast does FastSeas use?

FastSeas uses the latest NOAA GFS and ECMWF model data when calculating routes. GFS covers the next 16 days and ECMWF the next 15, and each route reports which forecast it was calculated from.

Does FastSeas consider the effects of current in calculating the best route?

Yes, FastSeas uses the latest available NOAA OSCAR ocean current data when calculating routes. The routing algorithm will automatically route you through areas of beneficial current, and avoid areas of contrary current.

When are the GFS forecasts updated?

NOAA publishes GFS model data four times a day. The approximate times that FastSeas acquires these new data are shown below:

• 05:20 - 05:30 UTC for the 00z forecast
• 11:20 - 11:30 UTC for the 06z forecast
• 17:20 - 17:30 UTC for the 12z forecast
• 23:20 - 23:30 UTC for the 18z forecast

When are the ECMWF forecasts updated?

ECMWF publishes its high-resolution forecast four times a day, but the four runs are not equivalent: the 00z and 12z runs reach 15 days ahead, while the 06z and 18z runs are shorter supplementary forecasts reaching only 6 days. FastSeas uses only the two 15-day runs, so the ECMWF forecast horizon stays consistent throughout the day. The approximate times that FastSeas acquires these new data are shown below:

• 08:00 - 08:30 UTC for the 00z forecast
• 19:30 - 20:00 UTC for the 12z forecast

ECMWF data therefore arrives later in the day than the equivalent GFS run, and is refreshed twice daily rather than four times.

When is OSCAR data updated?

NOAA publishes OSCAR data every 5 days.

How does FastSeas calculate passages that exceed the forecast duration?

When the voyage duration exceeds the forecast duration, FastSeas continues to calculate the voyage using the last available weather forecast data. FastSeas will display warnings in the results and plot this extended portion of the voyage with a dashed line.

How do I delete my account?

Open Settings in the app and choose Delete Account. This permanently deletes your account, your saved routes and departure plans, and your vessel settings, and cancels any active subscription. It cannot be undone. See our Privacy Policy for what is kept afterwards and why.

Offshore, with no internet?

FastSeas can also return routing and departure planning results by email or satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, Iridium GO!, Zoleo, and others). See Using FastSeas by Satellite Email for details.

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FastSeas is a dba of Extempo LLC, 30 N Gould St Ste N, Sheridan, WY 82801-6317, US.