Orca, a New Navigation System

August 11, 2025 • 4 min read

José María Serra Cabrera from Nautica y Yates explains Orca's unique approach to navigation.

This article, part one of a two-part series, was originally written by José María Serra Cabrera in Spanish and published in Nautica y Yates in the August/September issue. The translation and following publication have been approved by the original author.

The first digital nautical charts were scanned maps. They only had a few “digital” aspects about them and became simple flat images, with no additional information beyond what the picture showed. This was how OziExplorer worked, one of the first chart navigation applications we used. We had to calibrate the chart images to set our exact position while sailing, and we viewed these charts on laptops because tablets had not been invented yet. They were basic charts that could not be updated and lost quality when zoomed in. Still, they seemed very advanced at the time, even with a positioning error ranging from 100 to 250 meters.

Then came vectorized charts, such as MAXSEA, TSUNAMIS99 by TRANSAS, NAVIONICS, and C-MAP, where zooming allowed viewing more data and additional information. These charts were adapted to various hardware options: laptops, chartplotters, and tablets (Apple and Android), such as the SAILPROOF tablet we reviewed earlier, where any navigation software could be installed.

With this digital evolution – undoubtedly beneficial for sailors – Orca emerges, taking a step further by offering an all-in-one navigation system. It integrates charts, software, a tablet, and connectivity with the rest of the boat's equipment, aiming to compete with Navionics and C-MAP. Launched on getorca.com, this system was designed to make marine technology modern, integrable with other instruments, and easy to use.

Orca Technologies AS, a Norwegian company based in Oslo, specializes in maritime navigation solutions. Its main product, Orca, is a navigation system designed to simplify planning and orientation at sea by integrating traditional maritime navigation systems with mobile applications. It offers responsive charts adaptable to any screen size, weather information, radar integration, and autopilot control.

The company was founded to modernize maritime navigation systems, considered, in many cases, obsolete and difficult to use. Gathering feedback from sailors worldwide, the Orca team developed a system that combines the reliability of traditional systems with the user-friendliness of mobile apps.

A secluded beach. Photo: José María Serra Cabrera.

What follows in this article is an in-depth look at Orca’s features, hardware, and standout capabilities, paired, for comparison, against two industry mainstays: Navionics and C-MAP. In a follow-up article, we’ll report on our month-long sea trial using these systems.

Unified and Intelligent Platform

Orca integrates software and hardware into a single experience. Unlike traditional systems that depend on multiple devices and fragmented connections, this system simplifies navigation into one interface, accessible via its dedicated Orca Display 2 screen or through its mobile/tablet app.

The system is built on advanced vector cartography using detailed bathymetric data, satellite data, official charts, and user community inputs. Like NAVIONICS and C-MAP, maps update from the cloud via annual subscription, ensuring up-to-date information without manual updates.

A key differentiator is its ability to integrate with boat systems via the NMEA 2000 standard, giving real-time access to engine, batteries, wind instruments, autopilot, AIS, radar, and more. Its interface is designed for ease of use, featuring contextual menus, intelligent alerts, and automatic recommendations.

Orca Display 2

The Display 2 is the system’s visible heart: a 10-inch high-resolution touchscreen, waterproof and rugged (IP68 certified). It includes built-in GPS, compass, temperature sensors, and accelerometers, enabling operation without external connections. It features a wireless charging mount, ideal for convenient and cable-free installation at the helm.

A mast-mounted Orca Display 2. Photo: Orca.

Orca Core

The small Orca Core device acts as the brain of the system. It connects to the boat's NMEA 2000 network, gathering data from all connected systems. It then wirelessly transmits this information to the Orca app on any device or to the Display 2.

The Orca Core. Photo: Orca.

Accessories & Connectivity

Orca is compatible with external sensors, autopilots, radar, AIS, and depth sounders that comply with connectivity standards. It also allows remote access via LTE and WiFi, enabling online updates and remote diagnostics.

Route Planning, Weather, and Navigation Assistance

Orca features an intelligent route planner that considers winds, currents, tides, and weather conditions to suggest the most efficient and safest route. It allows for multi-stop planning and generates an arrival estimate.

The system integrates forecasts from multiple real-time sources, displayed through graphics and map animations to support decision-making during long trips or changing conditions.

During active navigation, Orca can help you determine weather changes, shoreline proximity, and shallow depths. Data syncs automatically across the app, Display, and cloud, enabling real-time sharing among crew and pre-planned routes from home. Offline operation is also supported by downloading maps and routes.

Route Planning with Orca. Photo: Orca.

Comparison with Navionics and C-MAP

ORCA offers a modern experience focused on connectivity, automation, and design, while Navionics and C-MAP remain traditional leaders with strong chart coverage.

Summary

The Orca navigation system represents a major shift from traditional systems. By integrating cartography, hardware, weather, and boat sensors data into a single ecosystem, it aims to eliminate the need for complex setups and isolated devices.

Orca is a modern navigation system. Photo: Orca.

For sailors who value ease of use, technological integration, and user-centric design, Orca is an evolution in navigation assistance. Compared to established leaders like Navionics and C-MAP, Orca stands out as a promising competitor.

This summer, we will sail the Balearics for a month, testing both systems: NAVIONICS on the SAILPROOF tablet and Orca with its Display 2. We’ll see what each has to offer – while enjoying the sailing, of course.

José María Serra Cabrera

Yachtmaster, 

Computer Science Graduate, 

CEO at DEINFO Servicios Informáticos