Frequently Asked Question


Q :

 What's with the new version of Zulu Waterways?
A :

When we first launched Zulu Waterways back in 2017, it was ahead of its time. We offered people from around the world access to maps and markers as recommended by locals, all in one place, for free!
The thing is, time caught up. As more people came to Zulu Waterways and started sharing their tips and recommendations, our site slowed down and struggled to keep up with demand. We heard your feedback, and that's why we're excited to announce...

ZULU WATERWAYS 2.0!

Check out what's new:
Faster loading times (no more waiting and praying for signal!)
New map types (satellite sources, charts, and street maps)
Improved search functions (search by tags and/or location, and narrow or broaden your search as far as you'd like with filters)
Tilted maps (if birds-eye view isn't what you need, other angles are now available)
Share routes (using the souped-up measuring tool)
Secure login (with Facebook, Apple, Google, or the good old-fashioned email address)

Best of all, it's all still FREE!

Q :

So, what is Zulu Waterways and Zulu Offshore?
A : Zulu Waterways was developed by sailors with the idea that the boating community needed a modern, digital cruising guide which incorporated the combined knowledge of the community as a whole. It is a similar concept to Wikipedia in that users can edit and comment on the content, although unlike Wikipedia’s web page format, the Zulu Waterways information is displayed on an interactive map with satellite imagery and charts.
Entries range from anchorages and public moorings to boat ramps to marine rescue contact info. There’s information on bridge heights and marina prices and where to land your dinghy. There are even entries on dog friendly beaches, local wildlife and walking tracks.

The Zulu database is free to access and available in two formats.

Zulu Waterways is available as a mobile apps (iOS and Android) and website (https://zuluwaterways.com). This version contains the zulu database, alongside a selection map types including satellite and navionics charts. The information requires an internet connection to view the content and both the apps and website are completely free to use.

Zulu Offshore is available as mobile applications (iOS & Android). It contains the same database as Zulu Waterways as well as similar map types.. The difference between the two versions is that Zulu Waterways is an online way to view the data-base, while Zulu Offshore makes the same data-base available without the need for an internet connection. There are other differences. For the data base and maps to be made available offline, the information and maps need to be downloaded and stored onto your device. Zulu Offshore offers free access to the data-base for offline use and grants each boater a monthly quota of free map downloads. The Offshore version has extra premium options which include the ability to purchase larger areas of imagery as well as premium cruising guide content from well-known authors. You can download Zulu Offshore from the google play or apple store.
Q :

I want to help contribute! How to add a marker about a place I know?
A : That’s great! It’s what the community is all about. In order to add, edit or comment on information you must first login to Zulu Waterways. You can do so via an email address, Facebook, Google or Apple account. See ‘how to register/login’ for more information on doing so. Once you are logged in, position the map near to where you want to add a new marker. Then, click the button in the lower right corner of the map screen. Doing so will activate a target which will appear in the middle of your screen. Move the target around the screen making sure to zoom to the exact position you want the new marker to be added. When you have the position you want, click the target again. This will open up the ‘Add new marker window’. Next, follow the prompts. This including selecting the icon type. Giving the marker a name. Adding detailed fact based information, personal experiences and photos. When you’re done, click the save button. The marker will now be visible to the rest of the community.
Is there already a marker where you want to add one? Maybe editing or commenting is the way to go. Check out the next FAQ for more information.
Can I edit the information in an existing marker?
Yes, you can edit any marker on the map. Often information changes over time and we encourage you to go in and edit the marker to keep them up to date and accurate. If you are unsure if it’s right to change the information in a marker, you can instead add new information into the comments section. See the FAQ below for more information on commenting.
Adding Comments.
This is much the same as editing. Provided you are logged in to Zulu Waterways you will be able to comment by clicking the comment button at the bottom of each marker. In the comment section, you are free to add whatever you like. This could be further information to supplement that in the main description, or it could just be about your personal experience while you were at that location (what the sunset was like...what kind of passage you had to get there...). The comment section is for personal experiences so it’s up to you what you want to say!
Q :

What information should be in the main section of a marker and what should go in the comment section?
A : The main information section in the marker is for fact based information. This may include details such as, the depth of an anchorage, the protection it offers from different wind directions or the services available at a facility. Broadly speaking, information added to this section should be kept to fact based information rather than personal experiences or impressions.


The comment section allows for more flexibility in what you input. Often in the comment section you will find users debating the finer details of the information section, adding a review or experience or even just letting others know what adventures they had while there with photos and blog links.
Q :

It feels strange to change someone else's entry! Is it right to do so?
A : At first it can feel strange to alter the information added by another user, however, this is what makes the information contained on the Zulu platforms so detailed and accurate. Remember! The information section is reserved mainly for fact based information. Provided that you feel confident in your information, then by all means, feel free to change anything which you feel needs to be changed. If you wish to add an opinion, or are unsure of your information’s accuracy, then you might want to add to the comment section instead. Users will check the comment section along with the main information to get a well-rounded understanding of the location being discussed. Remember! Other users may change your information again, so don’t worry too much about getting all the details down in one go! It’s all part of creating a detailed community led information database.
Ah! I didn’t mean to put that there! How do I delete a marker?
Open the marker you wish to have deleted and click the ‘Report’ button in the bottom of the icon. Write your reason for wanting to delete the icon and click ‘Submit’. Somebody will review your report and decide if the marker needs deleting or altering in some way.
Q :

Can I share a marker?
A : Yes, you can share markers by clicking the ‘share’ button found at the bottom of each marker. Clicking this button will open a list of options available for sharing the marker based on your device type. This function can be particularly helpful if you are traveling in convoy with another boat and you want to share the anchorage you are choosing or to share with family and friends so they can keep track of where you are going on your adventures.
Q :

Search Options
A : Titles: Searches the titles of the markers on the map. As the titles often contain the place or business name which the marker corresponds too, this is an easy way to find the marker you are looking for. An example would be to search ‘Blackwattle Bay’.
Tags: Searches the tags added to a marker. This might be ‘Good holding’ or ‘Close to shops’ or ‘Diesel fuel available’. This is yet another way to narrow your search parameters.
Location: Searches locations around the globe. This option functions in much the same way as google maps. An example would be to search, ‘New York City’.
Near Me: This will show you a list of the markers in order of distance from your current location. This is useful as you can quickly see what is nearby.
On Screen: This will search marker titles but only those which are visible on your screen at that time. This is a means of searching for something within a chosen radius. You can adjust your zoom to choose the area you will search.
My Markers: This restricts the search to a list of markers added by you personally.
Everywhere: Will search all the markers or locations around the globe.
Q :

Filtering
A : The button midway down the right side of your screen, as well as in the main menu, will open an option to filter the markers. This is useful when trying to declutter the map to look for something in particular. For example, you can remove all markers except for anchorage, as to see only the anchorages nearby. Just remember¬! Turn the filters back on again after you finish exploring as the app/website will remember your setting next time you are logged on.
Q :

Measuring tool
A : The measuring tool can be accessed via the button midway down the screen on the left side. Click the button will activate the tool. Once activated, click location on the map to measure the distance between them. You can do this as many times as you need. If you want to share the route you have created, click the ‘share’ button which will appear under the measuring tool button once activated. To change the values, click the numbers on the scale at the top of the screen in the centre. This will allow you to change the value to suit your preferences.
Q :

Changing Units
A : Clicking the numbers scale (top and center of the map page) will change the values given for the scale and for the measuring tool. The options include; metric, imperial and Nautical values.
Q :

Copyright License...Who owns the information I add?
A : As part of our effort to encourage a free culture of sharing we have licensed all Zulu Waterways information, unless under copyright from the original author, under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share-Alike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA).


Under this license:
You are free to:
* Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
* Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material.
* The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
* Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
* NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
* ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
* No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
The CC-by-nc-sa-4.0 document outlines the ways in which you are able to use information found on Zulu Waterways elsewhere. The information found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 contains all the legal information you need to know regarding the license. Below are some links which may help you further understand the terms used in the license but please note that the license itself is the only legally binding document to consider.
Attribution: This applies to every Creative Commons work. Whenever a work is copied or redistributed under a Creative Commons licence, the original creator (and any other nominated parties) must be credited and the source linked to.
Non-Commercial Use: Lets others copy, distribute, display and perform the work for noncommercial purposes only.
Share-Alike: Allows others to remix, adapt and build on the work, but only if they distribute the derivative works under the same licence terms that govern the original work.
Some further notes on Non-Commercial reuse written by the Zulu Waterways team-
The Australian Hydrigraphic Charts visible on Zulu DO NOT fall under the creative commons CC-BY-NC-SA licence. The Commonwealth is, and at all times shall remain, the owner of the Intellectual Property in AHO Material.
If you are unsure whether your particular use is permitted under the license you can contact us for further details at legal@zuluwaterways.com. Commercial use of material sourced from Zulu Waterways is not allowed under the license however you may request use of content for purposes which are considered commercial by contacting us. Permission to use information commercially under the Creative Commons non-commercial license may sometimes be granted but written permission is first required. Just send us an email to discuss your project or intended use.
Q :

Whats the explore button?
A : Don’t ask me! Give it a click and see what happens.
Q :

How do the Aus hydro charts work?
A :

AUSTRALIAN HYDROGRAPHIC CHARTS


Zulu Waterways contains nautical charts (AHO series basemap). Do not use or view the charts if you do not agree to the below disclaimer in full.

Disclaimer

The data contained in this service is provided for information and product discover purposes only and must not be used for navigation and decision for this purpose must not be made using the data presented in this service. Chart index limits and metadata are updated in line with the Notices to Mariners fortnightly cycle. The AHO Series Basemap is updates on a bi-annual basis in January and July and therefore it may not contain all Notice to Mariners corrections. The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) makes no warranties or guarantees, either expressed or implied, as to the completeness of the data portrayed on this website nor accepts any liability, arising from any incorrect, incomplete or misleading information contained herein. All information and data is provided “as is” with no warranty either expressed or implied, including or not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose. AHO products can only be obtained from Australian Hydrographic Office Distribution Agents. For more information on the licensing of specific products contact Hydro Licensing © Commonwealth of Australia 2021. This work is copyright

The Australian Hydrigraphic Charts visible on Zulu DO NOT fall under the creative commons CC-BY-NC-SA licence. The Commonwealth is, and at all times shall remain, the owner of the Intellectual Property in AHO Material.