LightMaster Nautical Training & Software
LightMaster Nautical Training & Software is here to offer you more safety and enjoyment afloat, through unique interactive education.
It was founded in 1991 by keen yachtsman and sailing instructor, Martin Quaintance. Martin drew on his long experience with computers working in ICT, IBM, Xerox and within his own business to pioneer the use of the newly-popular PCs to teach small-craft sailors better.
There was early success with the initial “LightMaster” program, which brought to life the often dry and daunting topic of I.R.P.C.S. (Collision Regs). This is essential knowledge for all Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper exams.
While the initial program brought Vessel Lights to life, students were soon able to learn all the Col Regs sound signals more easily also, when the FogMaster program was released a year later. An updated version of LightMaster added help with I.A.L.A. buoy lights.
In 1993, Martin wound up his printing works and went full time, adding the Tidal Navigation Tutor to the portfolio. The (then) cutting-edge animations meant that Students could now more easily understand the many steps involved in essential tidal calculations. Navigators could now spend less time preparing passage plans.
A major development for LightMaster arose when the RYA was setting up the first VHF DSC radio course, to prepare and examine students for the new VHF Short Range Certificate. This certificate was required by anyone using the new style equipment.
They needed a software simulation of the new breed of DSC radios. The specification for these “Class D” radios was set by the ITU and a few manufacturers were designing the new products, but no physical sets were available on the market yet.
LightMaster took the risk and developed the first commercially-available DSC simulator. The RYA tested this out and adopted it as the basis for the practical stages of the SRC course. Once physical radios were launched, LightMaster produced a completely new simulator closely modelling the most popular units.
A somewhat similar story followed when the RYA decided to offer a 1-day small craft radar course. There was no simulator to meet the requirements – only vastly expensive and complicated big-ship designs. Once again LightMaster stepped up to design a suitable radar simulator which then became the basis of the practical elements of the new course.
Martin was honoured to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Institue of Navigation, in recognition of his contribution to safety at sea through improved methods for nautical education.
The Company has introduced additional and improved software over the years and supplied it to multiple training organisations around the globe, as well as helping thousands of sail and power yachtsmen to greater safety and enjoyment at sea.