So you thought it was lonely out at sea

[macd]

I thought VHF signals bounced off the ionosphere.

VHF signals with frequencies above about 30 MHz usually penetrate the ionosphere and are not returned to the Earth's surface (Wiki).
Marine VHF, including AIS, is at much higher frequencies than 30 MHz.

 

[[70521]]

What a super wee clip, thanks for posting.

 

[Cardo]

I picked up the SAR helicopter on the AIS passing Portland last week. It's not just boats that use it.

Shows up as a little helicopter on my chartplotter. Very cool the first time I saw it!

 

[pugwash94]

I have an app on my iPhone that gives me AIS via the internet. I can use it all the way across the Channel with 3G (I use 3 Network so data is no problem and when I am in range of French have a data roaming sim. I can see shipping movements all around the world but tend to focus on the Casquettes lanes.

 

[CowesSailor]

Amazing thanks for sharing