Boat Beacon AIS?

AIS works via VHF signals.
Since I'm pretty sure the iPhone doesn't have a VHF thingimabob in it, I can only imagine it works by the mobile data network. Not much help if you don't have a signal.

I have my doubts that the "be seen" claim is worth much at all... and I can't see the "see" part working anywhere you don't have a data signal.

If it was something I felt I needed, I'd save up for a proper AIS setup.
 
Haven't followed the link, but I guess this is one of those apps that upload data into the Internet AIS-sharing system. Bear in mind that real AIS happens over radio, not the Internet.

Possibly of use if you want to let someone on shore know where you are in inshore waters. No use whatsoever for letting other vessels know where you are for collision purposes.

Pete
 
I have a perfectly good AIS receiver/plotter/vhf combo on board, but I was wondering if having a little portable back-up was worth it. Judging by the info, the gps enabled phone sends a signal to the web every minute, so it isn't real-time and only within 12 miles (or coverage) of the shore. So, it may seem to work like ais but isn't really. Just wondered if anyone had experience of it.
 
Seagreen said:
Judging by the info, the gps enabled phone sends a signal to the web every minute, so it isn't real-time and only within 12 miles (or coverage) of the shore.
Click to expand...

Those limitations are real, but not as significant as the most important one: nobody on the bridge of another vessel is getting their AIS data from the web aggregators. So even if you're showing up beautifully on the web sites, you're still invisible on the water.

Pete
 
On that note, it may well prove a useful backup if used in the light of that knowledge.

If your AIS failed completely, and if you had coverage, a slightly delayed web view of things might be enough to help you stay the heck away from danger. Since you'd effectively be invisible to shipping either way, some information from the AIS system would probably be better than none at all.
 
From the Boat Beacon support page:

Must I be connected to the internet to use Boat Beacon

Boat Beacon requires a data connection to receive and send boat and location information. Fortunately cellular data coverage extends over 12 miles out to sea in popular coastal areas.

http://boatbeaconapp.com/support.php
 
WilliamUK said:
On that note, it may well prove a useful backup if used in the light of that knowledge.

If your AIS failed completely, and if you had coverage, a slightly delayed web view of things might be enough to help you stay the heck away from danger. Since you'd effectively be invisible to shipping either way, some information from the AIS system would probably be better than none at all.
Click to expand...

I don't have AIS on the boat.
 
DogWatch said:
I don't have AIS on the boat.
Click to expand...

If you sailed from Dover you would have.
untitledbmp.jpg

Hedgehog and motorway spring to mind.
 
WilliamUK said:
If your AIS failed completely, and if you had coverage, a slightly delayed web view of things might be enough to help you stay the heck away from danger. Since you'd effectively be invisible to shipping either way, some information from the AIS system would probably be better than none at all.
Click to expand...

I played around with both live and marinetraffic at the same time one day, I actually think you would be better off with nothing rather than the net feed. It´s not even a snapshot of the past, but a whole lot of snapshots, one for each ship. And not very practical to see how old each snapshot is.

This was sitting in the marina with both up on opencpn so not really an "in the field" comparison. But it didn´t feel right at all, I really think you would be better off without.

Or much better off with the real thing :cool:
 
Conachair said:
I played around with both live and marinetraffic at the same time one day, I actually think you would be better off with nothing rather than the net feed. It´s not even a snapshot of the past, but a whole lot of snapshots, one for each ship. And not very practical to see how old each snapshot is.

This was sitting in the marina with both up on opencpn so not really an "in the field" comparison. But it didn´t feel right at all, I really think you would be better off without.

Or much better off with the real thing :cool:
Click to expand...

Hmm - put like that it sounds like a pretty naff backup.
 
Conachair said:
I played around with both live and marinetraffic at the same time one day, I actually think you would be better off with nothing rather than the net feed. It´s not even a snapshot of the past, but a whole lot of snapshots, one for each ship. And not very practical to see how old each snapshot is.

This was sitting in the marina with both up on opencpn so not really an "in the field" comparison. But it didn´t feel right at all, I really think you would be better off without.

Or much better off with the real thing :cool:
Click to expand...
I've sat in Cowes and Bembridge and found the Solent feed quite accurate, using Shipfinder and Marine Traffic to identify ships in sight. I am waiting for some decent weather to get out in the RIB and give Boat Beacon a try out.
 
Ais for real

Hi

We have tested Boat Beacon in the Bristol channel
, the Solent ( in mist ) and on Lake Erie in the US and found its collision
Detection to be spot on - no false alarms, better info than a Raymarine AIS receiver and 3 real situations
to deal withhttp://www.sail-world.com/CruisingAus/The-Boat-Beacon-Story---almost-AIS-equivalent---and-free/97339 . It should never be the sole navigation aid to be relied
on but for the price it's a bargain! Close to a 1000 users
are now using it World Wide.
 
I have the app on my iPhone - but managed to win it rather than paying for it.

It acts like an AIS receiver - i.e. it doesn't broadcast your position, but does give your CPA for vessels that are equipped with AIS transmitters.

If I were in fog, it would probably be quite a useful app. It's can also be quite useful to monitor the larger ferries (e.g. ascertaining if you're likely to be in the Lymington channel as one of the ferries is approaching you). Clearly it is no replacement for keeping a good look out!
 
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