Connected assistant
The internet answers your questions, mid-ocean.
Write your question from your inReach, like a text message. An assistant connected to the internet does the research and replies in a few short messages, within minutes.
3 free requests every month, no account. Also works with ZOLEO.
08:12
Any low pressure near the Azores in the next 3 days?
08:15
AI reply: Yes. A shallow low is forming W of the Azores, 1008–1010 hPa, moving NE, with 20–25 kt winds.
16:40
My solar controller is blinking red, what should I check?
16:43
AI reply: Often a battery too low or panel over-voltage. Check battery voltage and connections, then the model's manual…
How it works
One question, one answer, by satellite.
No browser, no app to open: your inReach is enough.
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Write your question
In English or French, like a text message. No special format needed.
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Send it to reChain
To the contact jcskipper.rechain@gmail.com, from your inReach or the Garmin Messenger app.
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Get the answer
It arrives as a few short messages starting with “AI reply:”. The assistant keeps the thread for 24 hours, so you can ask follow-up questions.
Examples
An assistant for everything the ocean didn't plan for.
Fix
- “How do I bleed the fuel system of a Yanmar 3YM30?”
- “My solar controller is blinking red, what should I check?”
Plan ahead
- “Any tropical storm expected in the Caribbean this week?”
- “What's the general weather situation over the Bay of Biscay?”
Arrive
- “What are the entry formalities in Cape Verde?”
- “Opening hours of the harbour office in Mindelo?”
Find shelter
- “Where is the nearest safe harbour from 38°N 28°W?”
- “Anchorage sheltered from the north-easterly near Porto Santo?”
Stay informed
- “Today's top three news headlines?”
- “Tonight's match result?”
Be understood
- “How do I ask for a berth in Portuguese?”
- “How do you say “alternator belt” in Spanish?”
Answers are short summaries. For safety-critical decisions, always check official sources.
Good to know
Short, useful, and on your plan.
- Each answer fits in a few messages, counted on your Garmin plan like any other message.
- The assistant keeps the conversation thread for 24 hours.
- Questions and weather requests share the same counter: 3 a month for free, unlimited with Premium.
- For detailed weather on a map, use a GRIB request instead.
FAQ
The assistant, answered.
How do I ask a question from my inReach?
Write your question in a message to jcskipper.rechain@gmail.com, like a text message. Any message that is not a weather request goes to the assistant, which searches the internet and replies in a few short messages starting with “AI reply:”.
What kind of questions can I ask?
Anything internet would help with: engine or electrical troubleshooting, entry formalities, harbour office hours, the general weather situation, the nearest shelter, today's news, a useful phrase to translate for the harbour.
Does the assistant remember the conversation?
Yes, for 24 hours. You can ask follow-up questions without explaining everything again.
Can I rely on the answers for my safety?
Answers are short summaries, useful to decide quickly. For any safety decision, cross-check with official forecasts and notices, and in distress use your device's SOS button and your distress equipment.
Set sail with reChain.
Three minutes is all it takes. Do it before you leave the dock.
- Install the free appreChain Grib, on iOS or Android, to prepare weather requests and read the files offline.
- Add the contactjcskipper.rechain
@gmail.com to your inReach contacts. No pairing, no account. - Create your tracking pageFree, so family and friends can follow your route and write to you. Create my page
Already convinced? Go unlimited: ⭐ Go Premium · €9/month