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Preview 3 platforms
iPhone 10 images
iPad 8 images
Apple Watch 8 images
What’s New Version 5.1.4
Critical alert support option added - Boat Beacon can now sound a Critical Alert for Anchor Alarms and Collision (CPA) warnings even when your phone is on Silent or Do Not Disturb — ensuring you never miss a safety-critical alarm.
Improved watch race countdown timer
New MMSI country codes for Malta, Greece, Panama and China added
Description
Boat Beacon is an internet AIS receiver and transmitter for your iPhone and iPad. It is the only AIS ship tracking app to provide Collision Warnings, share your boat’s position & use real-time AIS data.
Connected to the largest network of AIS shore receivers world-wide covering most major ports, harbours and popular coastal areas.
“An outstanding app, with great potential. Both interesting to use and very user friendly. This could be a life saver and especially of interest to small boat users. Everyone who goes on the water should have this on and use it!” ***** Sun Dream, App Store Review
Boat Beacon is designed for boaters & provides continuous Bearing, Range & Closest Point of Approach (CPA) calculations and alarms in addition to standard AIS information even when in the background.
Boat Beacon does not require any external AIS transponder or receiver equipment.
Key Features
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Over-the-horizon collision avoidance (30 miles radius) using continuous CPA calculations - highlights boats that are on a potential collision course and alerts you with an alarm.
Continually transmits and receives position information via the internet and calculates and alarms CPA even when the app is in the background.
Shares your position with Internet AIS Systems & apps & other Boat Beacon users in real time.
Real time ship map view with North up & Heading up modes so you can look in the direction of the ships on the map to locate them.
Nav display showing own boat's speed, course, heading and position.
SART Alarm
Man Overboard tracking, Anchor watch & Theft alarms (IAP).
Apple Watch App included
Siri voice commands
Export tracks
Boat-to-Boat & Group Messaging.
Local AIS & GPS via Wifi.
Boat Beacon InApp Add-ons:-
LiveView - Augmented Reality view with ships, compass & horizon overlaid. Works with FLIROne IR cameras as well to see ships & people in the dark & fog (IAP)
"AIS Sharing" to other apps like Navionics & iNavX (IAP subscription)
US, UK and IE Marine raster charts (IAP).
MOB and Anchor Watch (IAP).
Let Friends and Family see where you are and where you're headed to with our free Boat Watch app or on web-based AIS systems like MarineTraffic which have free web viewers available.
Arm all the crews in a race with Boat Beacon and have real time updates on the race positions on the water and back in the club house.
Keep a watch and in touch with other boats in your flotilla when sailing in a group.
Boat Beacon requires internet access to work. Most popular coastal areas have cellular data access extending 12 or more miles out to sea.
Subscriptions
The "AIS Sharing " subscription is monthly ($5.99) or yearly ($16.49), and will automatically renew at the end of the subscription period unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase, and will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the iTunes account holder and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to Account Settings after purchase.
No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period.
Terms of Use: http://seanav.net/termsofuse.php
Privacy Policy: http://seanav.net/privacy.php
Support: help@pocketmariner.com
Your position can be shared and seen on all our apps without using an MMSI number. To be seen on Global AIS systems like MarineTraffic you need an MMSI number. In the US you can obtain one by visiting http://www.boatus.com/mmsi or email us for a free internet MMSI number.
Please note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
NOT FOR NAVIGATION
Boat Beacon should only be used for basic navigation reference and should not be solely relied upon to determine precise locations, proximity, distance, or direction. You will not be visible to other ships on VHF only AIS systems.
Capabilities
In-App Purchases
Accessibility
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Version history 25 versions
Build 887199499v5.1.42026-06-30 09:15:07
Critical alert support option added - Boat Beacon can now sound a Critical Alert for Anchor Alarms and Collision (CPA) warnings even when your phone is on Silent or Do Not Disturb — ensuring you never miss a safety-critical alarm.
Improved watch race countdown timer
New MMSI country codes for Malta, Greece, Panama and China added
Build 885862207v5.1.22026-05-20 11:04:12
Photo upload now updating immediately
Build 880601178v5.12026-03-30 08:41:33
UI Update for iOS26
Ignore SART TEST alarms option in Advanced Settings added
Build 878008990v5.0.122025-10-01 08:13:20
UI Improvements for Head Up Display.
iPad now displays full screen in landscape mode.
FLIR camera support updated for latest versions.
Build 876419031v5.0.112025-07-29 13:18:41
AIS De-cluttering setting to hide sail and pleasure boats that are moored in a Marina. Removes repeated collision alerts and provides greater AIS range near busy Marinas. Tap the new filter button top right to access it.
See what's on Boat Beacon on your MFD. Boat Beacon's AIS Share feature can now power real time AIS displays on Garmin, Lowrance, SIMRAD, B&G & Raymarine MFD's via plug and play NMEA2000 or NMEA0183 (requires a NMEA wifi server). For those who already have VHF AIS on-board Boat Beacon's target de-conflicting lets you benefit from internet AIS with "'instant on" and over the horizon range on top of your existing local AIS on the same NMEA2000 network and MFD.
UI Improvemewnts :-
Ruler endpoints now easier to select & drag and magnifier view added to show what's under your finger for more exact placement.
Improvement for Trip Details time and date displays.
Build 875629354v5.0.102025-06-17 10:35:32
Improved ruler UI :- endpoints now easier to select & drag and magnifier view added to show what's under your finger for more exact placement.
Boat Beacon's AIS Share feature can now power real time AIS display on Garmin, Lowrance, SIMRAD, B&G & Raymarine MFD's via plug and play NMEA2000 or NMEA0183 (requires a NMEA wifi server).
Build 872939969v5.0.92025-03-06 10:14:44
Man overboard (MOB) and Anchor Watch improvements(IAP).
Build 872822994v5.0.82025-02-27 16:05:05
Man overboard (MOB) and Anchor Watch improvements(IAP).
-Anchor alarm now repeats every 5 minutes and re-alarms immediately after being raised and dropped
-MOB and Anchor buttons added to mainscreen top left (can be turned off in settings)
-MOB distance, bearing and time in water displayed
-MOB takes priority over Anchor Watch
-Improvements to Anchor Watch drift and range monitoring
-MOB and Anchor can be activated from the Boat Beacon Apple Watch app and by Siri - "Hey Siri, Man Overboard", "Hey Siri, Drop Anchor".
-Boat Beacon remains in sailing mode when MOB or Anchor are cleared.
Build 872569802v5.0.72025-02-21 09:44:09
Man overboard (MOB) and Anchor Watch improvements(IAP).
-MOB and Anchor buttons added to mainscreen top left (can be turned off in settings)
-MOB distance, bearing and time in water displayed
-MOB takes priority over Anchor Watch
-Improvements to Anchor Watch drift and range monitoring
-MOB and Anchor can be activated from the Boat Beacon Apple Watch app and by Siri - "Hey Siri, Man Overboard", "Hey Siri, Drop Anchor".
-Boat Beacon remains in sailing mode when MOB or Anchor are cleared.
Build 871230952v5.0.62025-01-04 11:11:26
NOAA & uK charts now display correctly
Build 870921341v5.0.52024-12-10 10:00:34
Update for iOS18.1
Build 869674914v5.0.42024-10-14 06:19:20
Update for iOS18
Build 862156834v5.0.32023-12-14 06:58:21
Watch App AIS Radar display improvements - now shows CPA and MOB directions.
Fix for SART alarms repeatedly sounding.
Fix Ship details lat/long display wrapping round longitude - now two lines.
Build 861702875v5.0.22023-11-24 07:14:25
New Apple Watch live AIS radar display of vessels around you, point towards a vessel with your watch to see it's details including photo
User guide and FAQ now available in multiple languages.
Stability improvements
Build 851130789v5.0.12023-02-27 10:24:46
You can now tell Boat Beacon what to do with new Siri voice command support:-
-Man Overboard - Toggles Marking and tracking a man overboard position with Boat Beacon
-Start Sailing - put Boat Beacon into “On boat” mode. Same as tapping the Sailboat icon bottom left
-Finish Sailing - Turn off Boat Beacon “On boat” mode.
-Drop Anchor - Mark your anchor position and set a drift zone around it.
-Up Anchor - removes the Anchor watch.
-Navigation status - report current speed, course and heading.
Map tilt ( 3D) and rotate ( two fingers - see advanced setting to enable). Zoom in 3D with satellite map enabled to see 3D buildings around boatd and ports etc.
Fix for App crashing on launch due to bad saved map region.
Build 846886803v5.02022-03-08 10:37:53
Apple Watch App greatly improved including CPA display and alerts.
Use your Apple Watch to Start and Stop Sailing mode as well as MOB.
Background GPS power use improved (Use "While using" permission).
Day/Night/Auto display settings
Export tracks as GPX and KML to Chart plotters, Navionics , Google Earth etc.
Clearer Navigation info display for speed, course and heading
iOS15 UI friendly
Build 843298083v4.9.92021-10-13 13:56:04
Updated US and UK&IE raster charts
Fix for search crashing occasionally for some people.
Build 842179488v4.9.82021-05-13 06:41:41
iOS14 update
Fix for compass gimbal in iOS14 ( heading should be independent of pitch and roll for a steering compass)
Updated US and UK&IE raster charts
Fix for BBSI number not showing in My Boat Details.
Build 840917569v4.9.72021-03-17 14:32:02
iOS14 update
Fix for compass gimbal in iOS14 ( heading should be independent of pitch and roll for a steering compass)
Updated US and UK&IE raster charts
Build 838500016v4.9.62020-11-04 16:14:57
Dark mode support added to help with night time vision and use.
Fix for ship details view not scrolling all the way to the bottom on small screens.
Build 838225875v4.9.52020-10-17 13:49:47
iOS14 updates
Build 837383456v4.9.42020-09-10 05:55:11
AIS Sharing to Navionics update
AIS transmit navigation status correction
Fix for Anchor alarm
Disabled dark mode support as maps very hard to read in dark mode.
Fix for crash for some devices
Build 837379608v4.9.32020-08-16 07:04:01
AIS Sharing to Navionics update
Fix for Anchor alarm
Disabled dark mode support as maps very hard to read in dark mode.
Fix for crash on launch for some devices
Build 836597529v4.9.22020-07-14 14:35:48
AIS Sharing to Navionics update
Fix for Anchor alarm
Disabled dark mode support as maps very hard to read in dark mode.
Build 836439608v4.9.12020-06-23 08:56:06
Boat to boat messaging now working again on iOS13 - send and receive messages with other Boat Beacon users or groups of users.
Minor updates and bug fixes to AIS Sharing for working with Navionics
Fix for crash on devices running less than iOS10
Price history by region
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| Region | Language | Price | Ratings | Avg | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | en-US | USD 14.99 | 843 | 4.6 | 5.1.4 |
Change log 29 changes · US
✎
releaseNotes updated
Critical alert support option added - Boat Beacon can now sound a Critical Alert for Anchor Alarms and Collision (CPA) warnings even when your phone is on Silen
✎
description updated
Boat Beacon is an internet AIS receiver and transmitter for your iPhone and iPad. It is the only AIS ship tracking app to provide Collision Warnings, share your
✎
subtitle updated
AIS Marine Navigation
✎
name updated
Boat Beacon
◆
Version 5.1.4 released
Critical alert support option added - Boat Beacon can now sound a Critical Alert for Anchor Alarms and Collision (CPA) warnings even when your phone is on Silent or Do Not Disturb — ensuring you never miss a safety-critical alarm.
Improved
◆
Version 5.1.2 released
Photo upload now updating immediately
◆
Version 5.1 released
UI Update for iOS26
Ignore SART TEST alarms option in Advanced Settings added
◆
Version 5.0.12 released
UI Improvements for Head Up Display.
iPad now displays full screen in landscape mode.
FLIR camera support updated for latest versions.
◆
Version 5.0.11 released
AIS De-cluttering setting to hide sail and pleasure boats that are moored in a Marina. Removes repeated collision alerts and provides greater AIS range near busy Marinas. Tap the new filter button top right to access it.
See what's on Boat
◆
Version 5.0.10 released
Improved ruler UI :- endpoints now easier to select & drag and magnifier view added to show what's under your finger for more exact placement.
Boat Beacon's AIS Share feature can now power real time AIS display on Garmin, Lowrance, SIMRAD,
◆
Version 5.0.9 released
Man overboard (MOB) and Anchor Watch improvements(IAP).
◆
Version 5.0.8 released
Man overboard (MOB) and Anchor Watch improvements(IAP).
-Anchor alarm now repeats every 5 minutes and re-alarms immediately after being raised and dropped
-MOB and Anchor buttons added to mainscreen top left (can be turned off in settings)
◆
Version 5.0.7 released
Man overboard (MOB) and Anchor Watch improvements(IAP).
-MOB and Anchor buttons added to mainscreen top left (can be turned off in settings)
-MOB distance, bearing and time in water displayed
-MOB takes priority over Anchor Watch
-Improvem
◆
Version 5.0.6 released
NOAA & uK charts now display correctly
◆
Version 5.0.5 released
Update for iOS18.1
◆
Version 5.0.4 released
Update for iOS18
◆
Version 5.0.3 released
Watch App AIS Radar display improvements - now shows CPA and MOB directions.
Fix for SART alarms repeatedly sounding.
Fix Ship details lat/long display wrapping round longitude - now two lines.
◆
Version 5.0.2 released
New Apple Watch live AIS radar display of vessels around you, point towards a vessel with your watch to see it's details including photo
User guide and FAQ now available in multiple languages.
Stability improvements
◆
Version 5.0.1 released
You can now tell Boat Beacon what to do with new Siri voice command support:-
-Man Overboard - Toggles Marking and tracking a man overboard position with Boat Beacon
-Start Sailing - put Boat Beacon into “On boat” mode. Same as tapping the
◆
Version 5.0 released
Apple Watch App greatly improved including CPA display and alerts.
Use your Apple Watch to Start and Stop Sailing mode as well as MOB.
Background GPS power use improved (Use "While using" permission).
Day/Night/Auto display settings
Export
◆
Version 4.9.9 released
Updated US and UK&IE raster charts
Fix for search crashing occasionally for some people.
◆
Version 4.9.8 released
iOS14 update
Fix for compass gimbal in iOS14 ( heading should be independent of pitch and roll for a steering compass)
Updated US and UK&IE raster charts
Fix for BBSI number not showing in My Boat Details.
◆
Version 4.9.7 released
iOS14 update
Fix for compass gimbal in iOS14 ( heading should be independent of pitch and roll for a steering compass)
Updated US and UK&IE raster charts
◆
Version 4.9.6 released
Dark mode support added to help with night time vision and use.
Fix for ship details view not scrolling all the way to the bottom on small screens.
◆
Version 4.9.5 released
iOS14 updates
◆
Version 4.9.4 released
AIS Sharing to Navionics update
AIS transmit navigation status correction
Fix for Anchor alarm
Disabled dark mode support as maps very hard to read in dark mode.
Fix for crash for some devices
◆
Version 4.9.3 released
AIS Sharing to Navionics update
Fix for Anchor alarm
Disabled dark mode support as maps very hard to read in dark mode.
Fix for crash on launch for some devices
◆
Version 4.9.2 released
AIS Sharing to Navionics update
Fix for Anchor alarm
Disabled dark mode support as maps very hard to read in dark mode.
◆
Version 4.9.1 released
Boat to boat messaging now working again on iOS13 - send and receive messages with other Boat Beacon users or groups of users.
Minor updates and bug fixes to AIS Sharing for working with Navionics
Fix for crash on devices running less than