Boat Beacon adds internet AIS sharing

The long-running and popular Boat Beacon app has been upgraded with live internet AIS sharing to other apps, including Navionics, iNavX and OpenCPN, via NMEA protocols. This facility can be used to create live internet AIS overlays on their charts, in the same manner that already exists for Boat Beacon’s SeaNav navigation app.

The downside, of course, is this is not a full replacement for AIS. Many parts of the UK’s coastline have poor or non-existent mobile internet coverage and there’s no signal further offshore. This means an absence of targets on screen may not mean an absence of danger. Equally, even with a good data signal, this system suffers the same drawback as recieve-only AIS – that other vessels equipped with AIS can’t see you.

Nevertheless, there’s clearly space for this type of product, especially on smaller yachts, dayboats and open motorboats, where it may not be practical to fit a conventional AIS unit and chartplotter.

Price: £14.99 plus in-app purchases. pocketmariner.com