# Boat Beacon - AIS Navigation

> GPS Marine Navigation with AIS Collision Detection using just your phone.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.electricpocket.boatbeacon](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.electricpocket.boatbeacon)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.electricpocket.boatbeacon`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Electric Pocket
- **Category:** MAPS\_AND\_NAVIGATION
- **Downloads:** 20,736
- **Rating:** 3.27 / 5 (353 ratings)
- **Version:** 2.106
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-07
- **First published:** 2012-08-02
- **Publisher country:** GB
- **Size:** 4.85 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-12
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.electricpocket.boatbeacon)
- **Website:** [http://boatbeaconapp.com](http://boatbeaconapp.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://electricpocket.com/privacy.html](https://electricpocket.com/privacy.html)

## Description

**Boat Beacon** turns an Android phone or tablet with GPS and internet access into a real-time marine AIS navigation and vessel-tracking tool. View nearby ships on a live map, monitor bearing, distance, speed, course, and Closest Point of Approach (CPA), and receive collision and SART alerts—even when the app runs in the background.

Share your boat’s live position with other Boat Beacon users, Boat Watch, and supported internet AIS systems. Additional features include marine charts, vessel search, voyage tracks, compass and 3D map views, man-overboard tracking, anchor and theft watch, race tracking, local NMEA AIS via Wi-Fi or USB, and AIS data sharing with compatible navigation apps and marine displays. Internet access and GPS are required, and coverage depends on available AIS shore stations. Boat Beacon is not an AIS transponder and should not be relied on as the sole source for navigation.

## Rankings

- #428,200 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_MULTICAST_STATE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.android.vending.CHECK_LICENSE`
- `com.electricpocket.boatbeacon.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Boat Beacon offers useful AIS navigation with clear maps and good customer support, appealing to hobbyist sailors. However, users report limited coverage in some areas, high cost with multiple fees, app crashes, and device compatibility problems. There are also privacy and permission concerns, along with missing features on certain platforms.

### Pros

- Straightforward and simple functionality useful for hobbyists and boating enthusiasts.
- Good customer support that responds promptly to issues.
- Accurate ship identification and easy communication with commercial traffic.
- Ability to share AIS data across devices and clear map layouts.
- Works well as an AIS device replacement with multiple receiver support.

### Cons

- Limited coverage in smaller rivers and certain geographic areas, leading to missing vessels on the map.
- High cost with multiple in-app purchases and subscriptions, including additional charges for live traffic.
- App stability issues such as crashing after updates and failure to work on some devices or new Android versions.
- Issues with permissions and location sharing requirements that limit user control over data sharing and battery usage.
- Problems with pairing to other navigation apps and missing features like anchor alarms on some devices.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.electricpocket.boatbeacon)