Frequently asked questions
These are the questions I get most often. Is yours not here? Feel free to email or call me.
Getting started
Do I need anything on board?
No. Your vessel already transmits AIS. You only enter the MMSI number, the rest happens by itself.
How soon is my vessel on the map?
As soon as an AIS message from your vessel comes in. If the vessel is in an area with poor reception, it may take a little longer.
Can I try it first?
Yes. You can try everything for free for 60 days. You do enter your payment details when you sign up. After the trial you pick a plan, or you stop.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. It works in the browser on your phone, tablet and computer. There is nothing to install.
Which languages are available?
Dutch and English. Every user picks their own language.
AIS and data
Where does the data come from?
From AIS: the position messages vessels transmit themselves and shore receivers pick up. You add the vessels you sail, manage or charter yourself.
What if a vessel has no signal for a while?
Then you see a gap. Nothing is made up: that time counts as neither sailing nor rest, and the day is marked ‘no data’.
How accurate are the positions?
As accurate as the AIS signal itself: the position comes from the GPS on board. How often a new position comes in depends on the reception in the area.
Can I follow chartered vessels?
Yes. You add them by MMSI number, just like your own vessels. Workspaces keep clients and fleets apart.
Can I see push barges?
Not individually. Push barges without their own propulsion are not required to carry AIS (BPR 4.07), so they are not visible on their own. The pushing vessel is.
How do I check whether my vessel is on AIS properly?
With the free MMSI check. Enter your MMSI number and you see right away whether your vessel shows up on AIS, when it was last seen and whether name and dimensions come through.
Port visits and sailing times
How are port visits recognised?
From the AIS positions: when a vessel lies still in a port or at a terminal, it is recorded as a stop with arrival, departure and berth time. Waiting at a lock counts as sailing time.
Are sailing and rest times kept?
Yes. For operating modes A1 and A2 they are judged per duty period. For B and NVT you see the times, without a judgement.
Does this replace my sailing log?
No. The official sailing log still has to be kept on board, and what is in it remains the skipper’s responsibility. This helps you fill it in and check it.
Can I export to Excel?
Yes. You can export port visits and the sailing log to Excel or CSV, and have reports emailed to you automatically.
Can I connect it to my own systems?
Yes. There is a documented REST API for positions and stops, with your own API keys, and webhooks for live positions and status changes.
How much crew do I need?
That depends on the operating mode, the length of your vessel and its equipment. Work it out with the free calculator on bemanningsterkte.nl (in Dutch). The rest-time rules are in the guide on rest times in inland shipping.
- Rest times in inland shipping, with a rest-time check
- Crew strength calculator (bemanningsterkte.nl, in Dutch) — free calculator for the minimum crew
Pricing and subscription
What does it cost?
You start with 60 days for free. After that you pick a subscription that fits the number of vessels. The current prices are under Pricing on the homepage; prices exclude VAT.
What happens after the trial?
You pick a plan in the app. If you do not, your account switches to read-only mode.
Can I stop or change plans whenever I like?
Yes. You can move to a larger or smaller plan at any time. You can cancel towards the end of the current period; the details are in the terms and conditions.
I have a large fleet. Is that possible?
Certainly. Email or call me and we will find what fits.
Privacy and security
Where is my data stored?
On servers in the EU. Your data travels over an encrypted connection to our hosting providers; which providers those are and what they do is in the privacy policy.