Java Marine API release notes
Version 0.5 (b20120508223056)
<http://marineapi.sourceforge.net/>

This is a pre-alpha release, major API changes may be introduced in future
versions. Released on 2012-05-08.

CHANGES

* GpsMode enum; renamed to FaaMode

* SentenceValidator; separated sentence format validation and checksum checking
  in different methods by adding isSentence(String) method.

* SentenceFactory; DBT and HDT parsers were registered incorrectly, fixed.

* DPTSentence; added maximum depth setter/getter.

* Extracted AbstractProvider base class from TPVProvider, may be used to
  implement custom providers. Added also base classes for provider events and
  listeners.
  
* SentenceParser/SentenceValidator; added support for alternative begin 
  character '!' to enable parsing AIS sentences.
    
* Added new ids AI, AB and BS in TalkerId enum to support parsing AIS messages.

* Fixed a precision problem in ZDA parser.

* Improvements and fixes in Javadocs.

NEW FEATURES

* Support for MWV sentences; wind speed and angle.

* Support for MTA sentences; air temperature.

* Support for MTW sentences; water temperature.

* Support for HDT sentences; current true heading.

* Support for HDM sentences; current magnetic heading.

* Support for HDG sentences; current magnetic heading with variation/deviation.

* Support for VHW sentences; water speed and heading.

* HeadingSentence interface for sentences providing current heading.

* HeadingProvider that reports current heading.
  
* SentenceFactory; added method for creating parsers without input data.
  
* SentenceParser; setDegreesValue(double) method for bearing, course etc,
  validates the value to be within 0..360 degrees.

KNOWN ISSUES

* Position.distanceTo() may not produce correct results.
 
* Proprietary sentences with ID longer than five characters are not supported.

* All AIS sentences may not be supported, TalkerId contains only AI, AB and BS.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

* Thanks to Warren Zahra/marssa.org for contribution in VHW and MTW parsers.

* Thanks to Josué Alcalde González for patch to add support for '!' begin char.