FOUNDERS STORY
The Story Behind Ditch
Frustration on the Water
Every app has a story, and Ditch’s begins with one very frustrating moment. Owen Davies, a lifelong boater, found himself quite literally stuck—in a ditch. It was a perfect day out on the water, until suddenly it wasn’t. Despite having charts and navigation tools, Owen’s boat ran aground in unfamiliar waters. Frustrated and baffled, he couldn’t believe that, in an age where technology seems to have a solution for everything, there wasn’t a better way to avoid situations like this.
That moment sparked an idea.
The Aha Moment
Owen and his co-founder, Peter Williams, both loved being on the water, but they had both experienced how outdated charts and unreliable navigation tools could turn a smooth day into a headache. After Owen’s ditch mishap, they started talking: Why, with all the technology available today, wasn’t there an app that could provide more accurate information to help boaters avoid these pitfalls?
That’s when they realized: If no one else was going to create it, they would.
The Idea Behind Ditch
Owen and Peter knew the solution wasn’t just about maps—it was about making smarter navigation tools that could give boaters updates, provide detailed local knowledge, and offer insights based on historical AIS data. They envisioned an app that would provide a solution to a problem faced by boaters everywhere. Uncertainty and risk shouldn't define your journey.
Harnessing the Power of Historical AIS Data
Peter and Owen had often thought that AIS data had incredible potential and looked creatively at what it could do, which led them to historical AIS data. By using data that showed where other boats had navigated in the past, they could create a tool to guide boaters more accurately through unfamiliar waters. This wasn’t about predicting conditions on the spot; it was about learning from the paths that other vessels had already taken in order to provide the smartest route.
They envisioned an app that would give boaters access to the travel patterns of countless other boats, helping them avoid the mistakes they had made.
From Frustration to Innovation
What started as a personal mission to fix their own navigation issues quickly grew into something much larger. Today, Ditch is transforming how boaters approach navigation with a fresh take. Instead of relying on outdated charts or gut feelings, boaters using Ditch can chart courses that are informed by where other boats have already been.
Ditch was created because Owen and Peter believe boating should be about enjoying the water—not stressing over navigation. Thanks to their vision, boaters now have a tool that helps them explore with confidence, knowing they’re following paths tested by those who’ve gone before.
