Get ready: eNav, formerly known as the AIS conference, takes place November 13-14, 2007, at the Bell Harbor Conference Center in Seattle. So what’s it all about?

“Electronic Navigation and the Application of Information Technology to Short Sea Shipping and Waterborne Commerce.”

Ummm…whuh-huh?

Apparently, this ain’t no boat show! The conference is presented by Pacific Maritime Magazine, subtitled “Marine Business for the Operations Sector.” So the eNav conference isn’t focussed on recreational vessel owners at all, and it isn’t really a “trade show”, although several manufacturers will be present, demonstrating their latest and greatest.

Instead, the focus is really on fleet and waterways management, safety, and homeland security. Attendees will primarily be representatives from various Coast Guards, civilian port authorities, and commercial vessel operators.

Alas, Navagear will not be there, but not because we don’t want to! Heck, I’d love to discuss the potential of “artificial” AIS with folks who actually know what they’re talking about.

Although I would love to attend, the registration fee is kinda steep for a new-kid-on-the-block operation like Navagear, and there are no press/media discounts. If any of our readers attend, and you learn something you feel Navagear readers would appreciate, please let us know about it!