The on line app and computer apps often have delays and may not be in real time You didn't mention B+ which is closer in the time slots with AIS A slot priority. It also transmits at 5. watts, rather than 2 watts. Especially when your boat is moving fast, the transmissions per minute increase in frequency with B+.
Great question, William. I'm more familiar with iOS apps, but I did a little digging. For Android, Marine Traffic, the app you see in the video (and what fellow viewer Dave recommended), is one of your better options. Some others to look at include Boat Beacon, which features a collision-avoidance alarm, and FindShip. There are others. Keep in mind that these apps are reliant on having a cell or satellite signal if you're using them on your boat. If you already have invested in a chartplotter app such as Navionics or iNavX, some of those companies have AIS overlays available.
Hi Kevin. While we don't disagree AIS a great tool to have aboard, BoatUS does not support making AIS mandatory on recreational boats because there has been discussion about using AIS for tracking and law-enforcement purposes (monitoring speeding). We want to ensure this excellent technology continues to be used for situational awareness only. You can read more about our position here: www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2023/april/boatus-concerned-about-potential-ais-tracking-of-recreational-boaters
