AIS Receiver
Track ships and boats
What it does
SimpleBig ships are heavy and slow to turn, so they tell everyone nearby exactly where they are to avoid bumping into each other in fog or at night. This app listens to those 'I'm right here!' messages and shows you the boats, their ID numbers, and which way they're heading.
If you live near the sea, a big river, or a busy harbour, you'll be surprised how many ships you can see — ferries, tugboats, fishing boats, and huge cargo ships — all reporting in as they glide past.
How it works
SimpleShips take turns talking so they don't shout over each other — like a classroom where everyone gets a moment to speak. Each ship's turn carries its ID number and position wrapped up in a quick digital burst. The app grabs the burst, unwraps it, and shows the ship on your list.
How to use it, step by step
Simple- Put on a VHF antenna (a bit longer than the plane one).
- Open the 'AIS RX' app.
- Get as high up and as close to open water as you can.
- Wait for ships to appear in the list.
- Tap a ship to see its number, speed, and direction.
Examples
Sit near a port and watch tugs, ferries, pilot boats, and cargo ships report in one after another.
Take a decoded MMSI and look it up online to find the ship's name, type, flag, and photo.
Log an hour of AIS near a shipping lane and plot the tracks to see the maritime 'highway'.
Tips & things to try
- Antenna height beats antenna quality for AIS — a few extra metres up can double your range.
- Inland with no water nearby? You likely won't hear AIS; it's strictly a marine-band signal.
- Class B (small leisure boats) transmit less often and at lower power than Class A cargo ships, so they're harder to catch.