Have you ever been out to sea? It is a vast territory of water. For some, it’s unreachable. The fear is unbearable. Open water is not for everyone. At the same time, it is a way of life for many. Sailing has been around since the old times. Back in the day when the trade business was young ships sailed across rivers, and smaller seas, and rarely did they dare to cross the ocean. Today, when navigation has advanced to unbelievable heights, navigating the ship across the big ponds was never easier.
The amount of cargo crossing our seas and oceans via ships is massive. Trade would stop in many parts of the world if ships suddenly diapered. This is a grave notion, but you shouldn’t worry. Ships rarely disappear. There are no sea beasts to take them to the bottom of the ocean. Also, the navigation systems are so precise that another iceberg and Titanic situation can’t happen. This is why we’re writing this article. Even if you had any worries about where a ship is if someone close to you is on board or is even the captain. You should know that ship trackers are a real thing.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but today it is possible to follow the position of every ship out on the open sea. Websites such as ship-tracker.org can give you a precise location of every ship you’re interested in. Do we have your attention now? We’re sure that we do. Subjects like these are always interesting to the majority of people. First, we’re going to talk about the essence of ship trackers, before we move to the practical applications and use cases. So, let’s see what ship trackers are.
What is a Ship Tracker and How Does It Work?
Source: dnv.com
The name says it all. A ship tracker is a device that enables individuals and groups to track ships out on the open seas and oceans. There is so much involved in today’s sailing. First of all, we’re talking about financial, and after that personal and emotional interests. Of course, there is always the importance of geopolitical issues, which come in handy to know when someone is sailing near Somalia. Pirates, you know? Putting aside the unfortunate situations that can arise in dangerous waters, tracking ships was never easier. Thanks to the technological developments that we’re witnessing everyday ship trackers have become a thing. But, how do they work?
This part is also not too hard to understand but you need to focus. As you know, the seas and ocean are overcrowded with ships. We’re talking thousands. Yachts, cruisers, and massive oil tugboats. Do you know what all of them have in common? It is called AIS. We are talking about an Automatic identification system. This is one of the best systems ever devised. It serves a few purposes. First, it aids in getting a ship to its destination. It prevents ships from hitting each other out on the sea, and lastly, it helps locate a ship’s current location. In the case of any emergency, you know how important this can be. As technology evolved people have developed a desire to know a precise location of a ship at any given moment. Knowing when a ship is in the harbor or where it is without knowing for sure the exact location was no longer enough. A few companies have taken advantage of the technological boom and paired the AIS with Google Maps and every other available geo-tracking software to bring people the maps of our seas and oceans with all of the ships currently sailing. Pretty cool, right? Knowing that it happens in real-time makes it even more impressive. As we said, it made life easier for the marine companies, the ship captain, and the crew, and of course, all of us were interested to know the position of a certain naval vessel. World just becomes smaller, and you’re a part of it. Seeing that you’re still with us, let’s talk about what practical applications this system has.
Practical Applications of Ship Trackers
Source: cruisehive.com
For people who have their loved ones aboard a ship the application of this product is quite straightforward. But, we must reiterate that using a ship tracker goes much deeper than that. Being curious about ships and oceans is nice, but so is Google Maps and yet you’re not using it for fun all the time. Sometimes you need precise data and practical usage. So, what else can a ship tracker be used for? Let’s see:
First of all, let’s talk about education
If you’re a student tied to maritime studies, this software can do wonders for your finals. Being curious about oceans, seas, rivers, and ships can become a great case study. Many people who have started learning about Maritime Law found a use for ship trackers. Knowing about sea laws, the legality of sailing, and ship belongings is quite a subject in so many fields.
Secondly, it can be used by shipping companies
Many of them are using it to follow their fleets. Knowing the position is essential for most of these companies. They can learn about new routes, and faster deliveries, and take care of their captain and crew without having direct contact with the ship. As we said, sailing was never safer than it is today.
In this context, the role of a ship agency becomes increasingly important. Ship agencies act as vital intermediaries, providing essential services that include coordinating port calls, managing logistics, and ensuring compliance with local and international maritime regulations. They use the fleet tracking data to efficiently plan port arrivals, prepare for cargo loading and unloading, and handle any necessary documentation.
We shouldn’t underestimate human curiosity
Today we have so many ships out on the sea. Some of them are state of art vessels. You don’t have too many opportunities to have the world’s biggest cruiser Wonder of the Seas or the world’s strongest tugboat Far Samson or Boka Samson. So, when you find yourself in one of the world’s biggest harbors you can check out which ships are there at the moment and come and admire them.
Last but not least, as we said, you can use it just for fun and personal interest. Indulging yourself in ship watching, tracking their position, or simply taking care of your loved one can be a lot of fun and for many people, it is an ideal pastime.
Source: flickr.com
Bottom Line
As you can see ship trackers have quite a few applications. Some are more and others are less serious. The good thing to know is that they exist and their usage, precision, and necessity grow with each day.
