Before you start
To start an Anchor Alert session, you'll need:
A cell phone or tablet.
The Anchor Alert App with a Pro subscription. This can be purchased in-app.
A PredictWind Account. You can create one in-app or here.
A PredictWind DataHub connected to your boat's NMEA2000 / N2K network.
Your boat's instruments connected to the N2K network and powered on GPS, Wind, and Depth (if you have them).
For remote monitoring the DataHub requires an Internet connection i.e. Starlink, high-speed Wi-Fi, cellular or Iridium GO exec.
DataHub Firmware version 4.25 or later. To update your DataHub Firmware, please read this article.
For full setup details, please see the article: Anchor Alert App Pro - Setup.
Start an Anchor Alert Session
To start an Anchor Alert session in the Anchor Alert App:
Connect your device to DataHub Wi-Fi and open the Anchor Alert App.
Tap the globe icon at the bottom left of the screen to open the Anchor Map page.
Top left of the screen, next to the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines), check the DataHub Wi-Fi symbol is green, indicating the app is connected to the DataHub.
Note: If the DataHub Wi-Fi symbol is red, drop the app into the background, check that your device is connected to DataHub Wi-Fi and reopen the app. If you have changed the default password or IP settings for the DataHub, please read here how to edit the Anchor Alert App DataHub Connection settings.
On the Anchor App Map page, tap Start.
Set your Chain Rode.
Rotate your device to the correct heading towards the anchor set point. The phone heading is displayed in degrees at the top centre of the Anchor Map page.
Tap Set Anchor Position and then tap Set Alert Now.
When an Alert session is started, your boat's current GPS position will be displayed on the Anchor Map screen. On the Dashboard screen, your boat's live anchor alert session data and N2K data are updated on DataHub Wi-Fi.
If you leave the boat and the DataHub is connected to high-speed Wi-Fi, the DataHub will update the boat's position to the PredictWind servers each minute. To retrieve the latest data from your boat, tap Refresh Data. Any alerts triggered will be delivered immediately.
Important Note: Please allow up to one full minute for the Anchor Alert App to start your alert session. The DataHub is an ultra-low-power device with a slow CPU, and it takes this long to start the Anchor App on the DataHub and setup each of the alerts. While the Anchor Alert App starts your session, a wheel will spin on the screen, and you won't see what's happening on the DataHub. Once the session has started, you'll see your boat on the water and its position within the alert radius area set.
Important Notes: If the app has not started after one full minute, please try a factory reset of the DataHub. This may be required to allow the updated Firmware to work properly. Please take note of your DataHub's existing settings for NMEA, Internet, PredictMail, etc, then go to DataHub > Services > Settings > Maintenance and click on PERFORM RESET. Wait 3 minutes, then reconnect to DataHub Wi-Fi and try again.
A factory reset will not delete any files on the DataHub SD card, so your existing PredictMail messages and logs will not be affected.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I see the boat position update on the Anchor Map when I get an alert while I'm onshore / on cellular data?
Alerts are triggered and sent immediately from the DataHub to your boat. N2K updates are sent every minute. Once you receive an alert, to update your boat's position, open the Dashboard N2K page and tap REFRESH to check for the latest data. Within one minute you should see the Date/Time field update. Return to the Anchor Map page at this time and you'll see the current reported position of the boat.
Related Articles
To configure which alerts are activated when you start an alert session, please see the article: Anchor Alert App - How to set alerts
Handy Tip - DataHub Only Anchor Alert (No Internet)
The Anchor Alert App will work without the Internet if you remain on the boat and are connected to DataHub Wi-Fi.
Your phone may pop-up with a notification: "The Wi-Fi Network Pw-Hub-xxxx does not appear to be connected to the Internet". This is expected. Tap Keep trying Wi-Fi to ensure your device remains connected to DataHub Wi-Fi to receive the N2K feed and alerts from the DataHub.
