> I think they do a good job for the free version too.
They did but, imo, no longer do. Features like passage details are now restricted with a link to paid plans (which are absurdly expensive for occasional recreation usage).
- If I click a vessel and then "Past track", a line appears with the voyage but I cannot see details like e.g. speed. There is only a message: "Try the voyage data service...". For pure curiosity the prices are much to high: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/online-services/plans.
- If I wanted to see where a vessel has come frome, I would need last 30 days minimum as recreational boats often do pause at marinas/anchor.
Prices are much too high for occasional 'curiosity' looking. Maybe I'd pay up to 80/y, but not 140 and certainly not 470. The latter would be needed for voyage data older than 3 days. Nautical map overlay would be great, maybe I'd pay 50/y for this in addition.
Wonder if the service could distinguish between commercial ships and recreational motor/sailboats? Or maybe use a traffic limit to differentiate between professional/hobby usage?
Personal information/pure curiosity. Not really important.
E.g. about a couple of sailing friends, how fast did they sail in comparison to others? Or maybe in which anchorages or marinas someone was? The issue is, that sometime you want to check this out one (or even a couple of) months later.
Potentially also great for passage planing, e.g. density report and/or nautical map layers. (Maybe one-off months could work for this but so far I didn't try).
Satellite data would rarely be needed. For individual tracking 'YB Tracking' seems better suited than AIS.
I think they do a good job for the free version too.