OnCourse is a mobile application which enables you to use your mobile device as a means of reporting the positions of a vessel to MarineTraffic. GPS-enabled devices (iPhone/iPad and Android) can be used to report the position, details and status of a vessel in case an AIS transponder is not available or the vessel is not within the range of the MarineTraffic AIS-Receiving Network.
Depending on the Operating System of your mobile device, visit the corresponding store to download and install the OnCourse Mobile App.
OnCourse is not AIS
OnCourse simulates the data transmitted by AIS transponders. However, it only transmits data through the Internet and not through AIS radio-frequencies. It is clear that the information transmitted by OnCourse is not visible through the AIS receivers of other vessels. It will only be displayed on the MarineTraffic website and apps. As such, OnCourse is only a vessel's self-reporting tool that does not substitute real AIS transmissions and it is not, by any means, related to the safety and navigation equipment of a vessel.
Intended Use
Provided that Internet connectivity is available, the vessel's positions will start getting reported once the OnCourse application is started on your mobile device. Note that the position reporting will continue even if the app is running in the background! This application is intended to be used only as a vessel's reporting tool and not as a personal location reporting tool. Therefore, it is important to be used only when the device is on board a vessel and it must be switched off whenever the device leaves the vessel!
How to use OnCourse - Registration Required
Registration for a MarineTraffic account is required in order to start position reporting through the application. A valid MMSI number together with the other details of the vessel (such as vessel's name, call sign, dimensions, destination, ETA, etc) must also be configured using the app.
What if the vessel does not have a valid MMSI number?
The MMSI number is the key value for position reporting. A valid MMSI number, configured in the OnCourse app, is required in order to send position reports to MarineTraffic. However, it is possible that smaller vessels have not been assigned with an MMSI number by their authorities. In this case, you are still able to use OnCourse, after having registered your vessel for a unique vessel's ID using the relevant OnCourse app options.
Note that the unique vessel ID number we will provide you with is not an official MMSI number and it is only used for position reporting purposes on MarineTraffic. This number is NOT to be programmed into any radio equipment such as AIS transponders or DSC radio.
Use OnCourse with GPS-enabled devices
OnCourse will work on GPS-enabled devices as long as the GPS/Location Services are enabled. It may not work properly on devices that do not have a built-in GPS sensor - the position reports may be not accurate.
Types/Frequency of OnCourse reported Messages
There are two types of messages that the OnCourse application sends to the MarineTraffic servers: Dynamic data (coordinates, speed, course) are sent frequently (default time interval is 1 minute). Static and voyage-related data (vessel's name, dimensions, destination etc.) are sent periodically (default time interval is 10 minutes). Both time intervals are configurable. Note that the amount of data sent over the Internet (thus, using your connection's bandwidth) is rather negligible in size.
Bandwidth Consumption
The bandwidth consumed by OnCourse is minimal. Even if OnCourse is configured to send position reports at the highest frequency, it will use about 150 bytes/minute, which means about 210KB in one day or 6MB for a whole month of continuous use.
Battery Consumption
OnCourse is regularly reporting your vessel's positions while making use of your device's GPS. In most cases, this is a power-intensive operation that will exhaust the battery of your device in a few hours. It is recommended to have your device plugged-in whenever you are using OnCourse.
E-mail notifications
In order to avoid unwanted position reporting, MarineTraffic will send e-mail notifications to your registered e-mail address, whenever your app is active. This serves as a reminder that position reporting should only be active when you are at sea and must be turned off when at land.
Disclaimer
Data is provided for informational reasons only and is not to be related by any means to the safety of navigation. MarineTraffic provides the collected information via the OnCourse application on mobile devices "as is". MarineTraffic does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the collected information nor commits to ensuring that the service remains available or that the material on the MarineTraffic website is kept up-to-date. Under these terms and conditions, MarineTraffic will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage or in connection with the information provided by the OnCourse application or by the MarineTraffic website. Consequently, the Provider, the administrators of OnCourse and MarineTraffic Services and their partners cannot provide any type of guarantee neither are responsible for the correctness, validity, thoroughness and accuracy of the published information, nor for the suitability of its usage for purposes other than informational.
Make sure you have read the MarineTraffic Terms of Service.