# Boat Watch

> Boat Watch lets you find boats and ships and follow them live on a real-time map

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

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.electricpocket.boatwatch`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Electric Pocket
- **Category:** MAPS\_AND\_NAVIGATION
- **Downloads:** 607,373
- **Rating:** 3.69 / 5 (2,648 ratings)
- **Version:** 4.0.12
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-05
- **First published:** 2013-12-18
- **Publisher country:** GB
- **Size:** 3.53 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.electricpocket.boatwatch)
- **Website:** [http://boatwatchapp.com](http://boatwatchapp.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [http://seanav.net/boatwatchprivacy.php](http://seanav.net/boatwatchprivacy.php)

## Description

Boat Watch lets you find boats, ships and other marine traffic and follow them live on a real-time AIS map. Spot any vessel and view name, type and destination; search for boats and places, set favourites, and share positions via Facebook, Twitter or email. The free download includes one month of live AIS service so you can start tracking instantly.

Upgrade with an optional one-time in-app purchase to enable automatic position refresh, arrival and departure alerts for favourites, full vessel details (photo, speed, course, country), boat tracks and multiple favourites. Add Live View for ships drawn at true scale with updates every 5 seconds — ideal for tracking loved ones at sea, ferries, cruise ships, cargo and rescue vessels.

## Rankings

- #90,191 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `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.electricpocket.boatwatch.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`

## Review summary

Boat Watch offers useful maritime traffic information and vessel monitoring, especially for coastal or island users, with praise for longevity and support. However, reviews frequently cite a disruptive paywall after a free period, crashes after updates, and data gaps where ships don’t appear or positions are outdated. Some usability quirks also surface. Overall, its core functionality is valued, but pricing, reliability, and user experience need improvement.

### Pros

- Provides valuable maritime traffic information for casual and serious users.
- Indispensable for coastal or island residents.
- Easy to use for quick checks on vessels.
- Long‑standing app with positive reception and responsive support.

### Cons

- Paid upgrade after the free trial; users report paying £5.99 and frustration with the pricing model.
- Crashes or instability after updates; app sometimes fails to open or stop showing AIS data.
- Incomplete or inaccurate vessel data; some vessels are not shown and positions can be stale.
- UI/UX quirks and bugs (slow search, zoom issues, and occasional crashes when tapping details).

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Boat Watch Pro - Ship Tracker](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.electricpocket.boatwatchpro) — 2,499 users
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- [Marine Traffic Ship Finder](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.ship.shipstation.activecaptain.marinetraffic.vesselfinder.shiptracker) — 54,077 users, 3.12 / 5
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- [Boat 360](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.boat360.app) — 40 users
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- [BoatWatch GPS Pro](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.boatwatch.gps) — 55 users

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