Hacking the high seas

Updated 1:13 PM ET, Thu January 17, 2013

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Hackerfleet is a Berlin-based collective of volunteer computer hackers, software developers and programmers crafting a new generation of ultra-smart sailing software on their own sailing yacht out in the middle of the ocean.

Photos: Hacking the high seas

Cracking code off the coast – Hackerfleet is a Berlin-based collective of volunteer computer hackers, software developers and programmers crafting a new generation of ultra-smart sailing software on their own sailing yacht out in the middle of the ocean.

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Founded by the covertly named Ijon (in yellow) and Riot (in Red), the group set sail to carry out their work at sea when they can.

Photos: Hacking the high seas

Cracking code off the coast – Founded by the covertly named Ijon (in yellow) and Riot (in Red), the group set sail to carry out their work at sea when they can.

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Most cruises last between three and five days and can be attended by as many as 15 to 20 people depending on the scale of the work expected to be done.

Photos: Hacking the high seas

Cracking code off the coast – Most cruises last between three and five days and can be attended by as many as 15 to 20 people depending on the scale of the work expected to be done.

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The bridge aboard the Hackerfleet vessel, which doubles up as a hackathon hub. "It's intense and we get very little sleep but the method is overwhelmingly beneficial as a source of ideas," says Ijon.

Photos: Hacking the high seas

Cracking code off the coast – The bridge aboard the Hackerfleet vessel, which doubles up as a hackathon hub. "It's intense and we get very little sleep but the method is overwhelmingly beneficial as a source of ideas," says Ijon.

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The group's ultimate aim is to popularize its Mastbox technology -- a completely new type of sailing software that will connect all boats at sea, essentially transforming them into floating data-collection devices.

Photos: Hacking the high seas

Cracking code off the coast – The group's ultimate aim is to popularize its Mastbox technology -- a completely new type of sailing software that will connect all boats at sea, essentially transforming them into floating data-collection devices.

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The Hackerfleet vessel sets sail with Mastbox attached to the crossbar for testing. Ijon says he expects the technology to be ready for commercial use in either 2015 or 2016.

Photos: Hacking the high seas

Cracking code off the coast – The Hackerfleet vessel sets sail with Mastbox attached to the crossbar for testing. Ijon says he expects the technology to be ready for commercial use in either 2015 or 2016.

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Repairs are made to the MS0x00, another Hackerfleet project that tests autonomous sailing technologies. The hacker group have also created an android app that charts the location of buoys and sea signs.

Photos: Hacking the high seas

Cracking code off the coast – Repairs are made to the MS0x00, another Hackerfleet project that tests autonomous sailing technologies. The hacker group have also created an android app that charts the location of buoys and sea signs.

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