Mobile Guide
Use VesselVault effectively on your phone or tablet while at the marina or on your boat.
Responsive Design Features
VesselVault automatically adapts to your device. Whether you're using a phone, tablet, or desktop, the interface optimizes for your screen size.
Automatic Adaptations:
📱 Phone (Portrait)
- Hamburger menu replaces top navigation
- Single-column layouts
- Larger touch targets
- Simplified forms
- Swipe-friendly interfaces
📟 Tablet
- Optimized two-column layouts
- Touch-friendly buttons
- Readable text sizes
- Efficient use of screen space
- Easy photo taking/uploading
Mobile Navigation:
- Hamburger Menu (☰): Tap top-left to access main navigation
- Sidebar: Slides out with all quick actions and vessel links
- Overlay Close: Tap outside sidebar or X to close
- Breadcrumbs: Always visible for easy back navigation
Mobile Maintenance Logging
Log maintenance while you work! Mobile logging is perfect for real-time updates while you're actually on your boat.
Quick Mobile Workflow:
- Open VesselVault on your phone browser
- Go to Dashboard (home icon in hamburger menu)
- Select your vessel from the tabs
- Choose maintenance category (Mechanical, Safety, etc.)
- Tap the task you just completed
- Instant logging with date and your name!
Mobile-Optimized Features:
🎯 Quick Actions
- Large, touch-friendly buttons
- One-tap maintenance logging
- Simplified category selection
- Instant visual feedback
📝 Easy Forms
- Mobile-optimized input fields
- Touch-friendly dropdowns
- Auto-focus and validation
- Prevent accidental submissions
Pro Tip: Keep VesselVault open in a browser tab while working. You can quickly switch back to log maintenance without losing your place!
Photo & Document Capture
Your phone is the perfect maintenance documentation tool. Take photos and upload receipts instantly while the work is fresh in your mind.
Mobile Photo Workflow:
- During Maintenance: Take before/after photos as you work
- Document Problems: Capture issues you discover
- Receipt Photos: Snap pictures of invoices and receipts
- Upload Immediately: Add to maintenance logs while details are fresh
Best Mobile Photo Practices:
✅ Good Mobile Photos
- Use good lighting (turn on flashlight if needed)
- Hold phone steady (use timer if necessary)
- Fill the frame with the subject
- Take multiple angles if helpful
- Ensure text on receipts is readable
❌ Avoid
- Dark or shadowy photos
- Blurry images from camera shake
- Photos too far away to see details
- Receipts with unreadable text
- Photos with important info cut off
Mobile Upload Tips:
- Immediate Upload: Upload photos right after taking them
- WiFi at Marina: Use marina WiFi for faster uploads
- Mobile Data: Photos are compressed automatically to save data
- Batch Upload: Select multiple photos at once when available
Working Offline & Connectivity
Limited internet at sea or remote marinas? Here's how to make the most of VesselVault even with poor connectivity.
Current Limitations:
- VesselVault currently requires internet connection for all features
- Offline functionality is planned for future development
- Mobile data usage is optimized to minimize costs
Low Connectivity Strategies:
📱 Data-Saving Tips
- Use quick maintenance logging (minimal data)
- Take photos but upload later on WiFi
- Keep notes in phone for later entry
- Batch multiple tasks before uploading
🌐 WiFi Opportunities
- Marina guest WiFi
- Nearby cafes or restaurants
- Mobile hotspot from crew phones
- Return to shore for major uploads
Planned Offline Features (Coming Soon):
- Offline Logging: Log maintenance without internet, sync later
- Photo Queue: Take photos offline, upload when connected
- Cached Data: View vessel info and history offline
- Background Sync: Automatic sync when connection restored
Mobile Browser Optimization
Get the best VesselVault experience on your mobile browser.
Browser Recommendations:
📱 iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- Safari: Best performance and features
- Chrome: Good alternative with sync
- Add to Home Screen: For app-like experience
🤖 Android
- Chrome: Excellent performance
- Samsung Internet: Great on Samsung devices
- Add to Home Screen: For quick access
Add to Home Screen:
Create a VesselVault "app" icon:
- Open VesselVault in your mobile browser
- iOS: Tap Share button → "Add to Home Screen"
- Android: Tap menu (⋮) → "Add to Home screen"
- VesselVault icon appears on your home screen like a native app!
Performance Tips:
- Close Other Tabs: Free up memory for better performance
- Refresh Occasionally: Pull down to refresh data
- Clear Cache: If experiencing issues, clear browser cache
- Update Browser: Keep your browser updated for best experience
- Good Signal: Move to better signal areas for faster loading
Future Enhancement: A dedicated VesselVault mobile app is being considered based on user feedback and demand. The web app will always remain fully functional!
Quick Mobile Actions
Mobile Readiness
Before heading out:
Common Scenarios
🔧 Working on Boat: Use quick maintenance logging for instant updates as you work
⛽ At Marina: Log fuel fills, pump-outs, and other marina services
🛒 Buying Parts: Photo receipts immediately, upload when convenient
📞 Service Calls: Document issues with photos before technicians arrive