New interactive ship finder at the Spinnaker Tower

12th April 2011

The iconic Spinnaker Tower is launching its very own ‘High Spy’ interactive vessel locator just in time for the Easter holidays, and the Queen’s Harbour Master in Portsmouth, Commander Nigel Hare has given it his ‘seal of approval’.

For the first time ever, the question “What ships can you see in the harbour?” will be answered as visitors to the popular attraction have access to a live electronic map showing the positions of ships and other vessels located in the Solent and Portsmouth harbour.

The touch-screen visual display unit will be located on one of the View Decks and visitors will be able to identify details by pressing coloured icons representing vessels within approximately 23 miles of the Tower. Information available can include the name of the craft, its type, size, call sign, destination and estimated time of arrival (ETA), details which are entered remotely by a member of the ships crew. Its direction and speed are also taken directly from the vessels navigation system and some will include a picture.

Vessels that can be spotted from the 170m high tower include search and rescue craft, military vessels, cargo ships, fishing vessels, cruise ships, tankers, pleasure craft, passenger vessels, sailing ships, and even coastguard helicopters, as well as landmarks such as land stations, buoys, and other miscellaneous structures.

Commander Hare commented: “To be able to view one of the busiest harbours in the world from such a fantastic vantage point and then, at the touch of a button, identify the vessels you can see is an exciting prospect for people. In my role as Queen’s Harbour Master I have access to this electronic information on a daily basis and I hope that, for visitors to the Spinnaker Tower, it will add a whole new element to their experience.”

In addition, the tower is also launching its very own ‘Passport to Portsmouth’ whereby visitors can use their tower entrance ticket to gain fantastic offers and discounts at a number of other leading attractions and restaurants in the Portsmouth & Gosport area. See www.spinnakertower.co.uk for full details, terms and conditions.