AIS map

The map below is from MarineTraffic, This web site is part of an open, community-based project. It provides free real-time information to the public, about ship movements and ports, mainly across the coast-lines of many countries around the world.

The data collection is based on the Automatic Identification System (AIS). AIS is initially intended to help ships avoid collisions, as well as assisting port authorities to better control sea traffic. 

AIS transponders on board vessels include a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, which collects position and movement details. It includes also a VHF transmitter, which transmits periodically this information on two VHF channels (frequencies 161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz – old VHF channels 87 & 88) and make this data available to the public domain. 

Other vessels or base stations like ours are able to receive this information, process it using special software and display vessels locations on a chart plotter or on a computer - or web site!