Where’s Missy?
If you’re wondering where I am this summer, there’s a good chance I’m somewhere between a glassy anchorage and a floating happy hour. But thanks to a little modern magic known as AIS (Automatic Identification System), you don’t have to rely on seagull gossip or Instagram to find out where I’ve dropped anchor. This summer, you can follow my adventures in real time using VesselFinder. Yes, you read that right—you can officially stalk my boat (in the nicest, most nautical way).
This summer, I’ll be sharing tips on How to Track My Summer Cruising Adventures to make it easier for you to follow along.
Why Track a Boat Anyway?
If you’ve ever tried to coordinate a marina meet-up, worried about a friend during bad weather, or just been curious about a boat name that passed you with serious swagger, you’ve probably used an AIS tracking app. I’ll be using VesselFinder.com this season to let friends, readers, and fellow boaters follow along as I cruise the Inside Passage and beyond. You don’t need a login, you don’t need binoculars, and you don’t need to wait for my next blog post to see where I’m anchored or moored.
What Is AIS and Why Does It Matter?
AIS, or Automatic Identification System, is basically marine radar meets social media. Every properly equipped vessel broadcasts data like its position, speed, heading, and identity via a VHF signal. Satellites and land-based receivers pick up that signal, which is displayed on apps and websites like VesselFinder and MarineTraffic.
This tech wasn’t made for fun boat tracking—it was created for safety, especially in high-traffic areas or low-visibility conditions. Commercial vessels must use AIS, but many recreational boaters (including me) have adopted it because it’s just so darn handy. Bonus: It’s the ultimate “Where’s Waldo?” for boats. Except I’m the Waldo.
What’s an MMSI Number?
Behind every trackable boat is a string of digits called an MMSI—a Maritime Mobile Service Identity number. Think of it as a boat’s digital license plate. A unique 9-digit number is assigned to your boat’s radio and AIS system. When your AIS is broadcasting, your MMSI number links your boat’s location to you.
So if you’re looking me up on VesselFinder, you can search for my boat name, As You Wish II, with a Canadian flag or simply click the link on my website. As long as I’m broadcasting and you’ve got an internet connection, you’ll see my course, speed, last port of call, and even which direction I’m pointed while sipping my morning latte.
How to Get an MMSI Number (Canada & USA) and the Gear You Will Need
Want to join the club and be trackable too? Here’s how:
- In Canada, MMSI numbers are issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). You can register online through their Spectrum Management System. It’s free, and you’ll need your vessel details, contact info, and radio equipment specs.
- In the USA, you can get an MMSI through BoatUS, Sea Tow, or directly from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). If you plan to boat internationally, it’s best to go through the FCC, as some recreational registrations won’t work outside U.S. waters.
Once registered, your MMSI is linked to your boat’s AIS and VHF radio. Turn it on, and you’re visible to every passing ship—and your entire friend group, if they’ve got the app.
AIS (Automatic Identification System) transceivers come in two flavours: Class A and Class B. Class A units are required for commercial vessels and transmit at higher power with more frequent updates, while Class B units are designed for recreational boaters—they transmit less often but still let you broadcast your position, speed, and vessel info. To broadcast your AIS, you’ll need a Class B AIS transceiver, which includes a GPS antenna and VHF antenna (or splitter to share your main one). If you only want to see other boats but not be seen, an AIS receiver will do—but let’s be honest, broadcasting your location is way more fun (and safer).
Some modern VHF radios come with built-in AIS receivers, such as the Icom M605, Standard Horizon GX2400, Garmin VHF 215 AIS, and Raymarine Ray73. These allow you to see AIS targets like nearby vessels and their headings right on your chartplotter, without needing a separate AIS unit. Keep in mind, these radios only receive AIS signals—so while you can track others, you won’t be broadcasting your own position unless you install a full AIS transceiver.
The Garmin VHF 215 AIS is my favorite onboard know-it-all—crystal-clear communication and real-time boat spotting, so I can see who’s sneaking into the anchorage before I even finish my coffee.
The Garmin AIS 800 Class B Transceiver is like giving your boat a voice and a spotlight—broadcasting your location to nearby vessels so they know you're coming (with style, of course), and keeping you safer in busy waters.
How to Track a Boat with AIS
Tracking a boat is as simple as opening VesselFinder.com or MarineTraffic.com and searching for a vessel name or MMSI number. You’ll see a chart showing where the boat is, where she’s been, and even a historical trail of her movements. It’s part high-tech safety feature, part digital rubbernecking.
And yes, this works both ways. If someone’s MMSI is public and they’re broadcasting, you can see their location—even if they haven’t updated their Facebook profile in a month. This is how I keep tabs on friends heading to Desolation Sound or arriving fashionably late at the pub dock.
Where’s Missy This Week?
Back to me. I’ll be cruising the British Columbia coastline from May through September, hopping between favourite anchorages, boat-friendly towns, and remote hideaways. Whether I’m tide-watching at Dent Island, margarita-slurping in Refuge Cove, or finding a perfectly calm bay to stargaze, you can follow my every nautical zigzag on VesselFinder.
Final Thoughts: Track Me, Baby
Whether you’re a friend, fellow cruiser, or armchair adventurer, I invite you to follow along this summer. Just head to VesselFinder.com, type As You Wish II, and voila—you’re boating with Missy.
And hey, if you’re nearby and want to say hello, trade provisioning tips, or just share a bottle of something bubbly, you’ll know exactly where to find me.
Look for the boat with the best view, the most stylish sunhat, and a garden on the back deck!
