Data Usage Policy

AIS Data Sources and Licensing

Automatic Identification System (AIS) data displayed on HeyMariner is sourced from a combination of terrestrial receiver networks and satellite AIS (S-AIS) providers. AIS operates under the framework established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations, specifically ITU-R M.1371, and is mandated by SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 for vessels of 300 GT and above on international voyages, cargo vessels of 500 GT not on international voyages, and all passenger vessels.

AIS transmissions are broadcast on VHF frequencies 161.975 MHz (Channel 87B) and 162.025 MHz (Channel 88B) and are, by their nature, publicly broadcast. However, the collection, aggregation, and redistribution of AIS data by commercial data providers is subject to separate licensing arrangements.

HeyMariner receives AIS data feeds that may include:

• Class A transponders: Mandatory for SOLAS vessels; transmit vessel name, MMSI, IMO number, call sign, vessel type, dimensions, draught, destination, ETA, navigational status, position (latitude/longitude), SOG, COG, and heading at intervals ranging from 2 seconds (when manoeuvring) to 3 minutes (at anchor).
• Class B transponders: Used by smaller craft; transmit a subset of Class A data, typically omitting voyage-specific information such as draught and destination, at lower transmission frequencies.
• Satellite AIS (S-AIS): Received by low-earth-orbit satellites, enabling vessel tracking in ocean areas beyond the range of terrestrial receivers, typically beyond 40–60 nautical miles from shore.

Our AIS data is provided under commercial licence agreements with one or more authorised aggregators. The specific provider and licence terms are confidential but comply with applicable data protection and telecommunications law. Historical AIS track data older than 24 hours is subject to additional access restrictions under our data provider agreements.

IMO Registry Data

Vessel identity and registration data on HeyMariner draws on information maintained by or derived from the International Maritime Organization's Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) and the IMO ship identification number scheme established under SOLAS Regulation XI-1/3.

The IMO number is a permanent seven-digit identifier assigned to a vessel for life, regardless of changes in name, flag, or ownership. IMO numbers for ships are assigned by IHS Markit (now part of S&P Global) under an agreement with the IMO. Company and registered owner IMO numbers are also available for ship management and ownership entities.

HeyMariner uses IMO registry-derived data to:

• Verify and disambiguate vessel identity from AIS-reported names and MMSI numbers
• Display vessel particulars including type, gross tonnage, deadweight, year built, flag state, and classification society
• Link vessels to their registered owners and managers where this information is publicly available
• Support port state control inspection record lookups

Vessel registry data is sourced from licensed maritime databases. HeyMariner does not represent that this information is exhaustive or current at the time of display. Flag state registries and vessel operators are the authoritative sources for registration status.

Port Data Attribution

Port and terminal information displayed on HeyMariner is compiled from multiple authoritative sources including:

• United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE): Maintained by UNECE, providing standardised five-character codes for ports and logistics locations worldwide. UN/LOCODE data is published under open access terms.
• World Port Index (Pub. 150): Published by the United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), providing comprehensive data on over 3,500 ports worldwide including coordinates, facilities, and restrictions. NGA publications are in the public domain.
• Port authority and harbour master publications: Official berthing information, draught restrictions, tidal data, and pilotage requirements sourced directly from port authorities or their official Notice to Mariners publications.
• Licensed commercial port databases: Enhanced port data including terminal layouts, berth specifications, and agent contacts sourced under commercial licence.

Port data is updated periodically but may not reflect the latest Notice to Mariners amendments. Mariners must consult official sources including the Admiralty Notices to Mariners or equivalent national hydrographic office publications before entering port.

NAVAREA Warning Data Sources

Navigational warnings displayed on HeyMariner are sourced from the World-Wide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS), coordinated by the IMO and IHO. The world's oceans are divided into 21 NAVAREAs and METAREAs, each with a designated coordinating authority responsible for broadcasting navigational and meteorological warnings.

NAVAREA warnings are broadcast via SafetyNET (Inmarsat-C), NAVTEX (518 kHz and 490 kHz), and high-frequency Narrow-Band Direct Printing (NBDP). HeyMariner aggregates NAVAREA, HYDROPAC, and HYDROARC warnings from:

• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) — HYDROLANT, HYDROPAC, and HYDROARC for US-coordinated areas
• United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) — NAVAREA I and NAVAREA III
• National hydrographic offices of NAVAREA coordinating authorities including France (SHOM), Japan (JCG), Australia (AHS), Russia (GUNiO), and others
• MSI (Maritime Safety Information) feeds via licensed aggregators

NAVAREA warnings have defined expiry times and geographic boundaries. HeyMariner attempts to display only active warnings but cannot guarantee real-time synchronisation with all coordinating authorities. The GMDSS on board the vessel remains the authoritative source for safety-critical navigational warnings.

Weather Data Sources

Marine weather information on HeyMariner is sourced from national meteorological services and commercial providers. Sources include:

• NOAA/NWS: Global Forecast System (GFS) model output and marine zone forecasts from the National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) and National Hurricane Center (NHC). NOAA data is in the public domain.
• ECMWF: Numerical weather prediction data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, including the ECMWF IFS high-resolution forecast and ERA5 reanalysis. Used under applicable open data or commercial licence terms.
• UKMET / Met Office: Global and regional forecast model output. Used under open government licence or commercial agreement.
• WMO GRIB data: Standardised meteorological data in GRIB2 format from World Meteorological Organization member services, covering wind, wave height, swell period, sea surface temperature, and atmospheric pressure.
• Commercial weather routing providers: Enhanced marine forecasts and routing analysis sourced under commercial licence for premium platform features.

Weather forecasts are inherently probabilistic and degrade in accuracy with forecast horizon. HeyMariner weather data is for situational awareness and passage planning only. Masters and officers must obtain official meteorological guidance appropriate to their voyage from an authorised met service before departure.

Third-Party Data Acknowledgments

HeyMariner gratefully acknowledges the following data contributors and sources whose work underpins the platform:

• International Maritime Organization (IMO) — GISIS, IMODOCS, and regulatory framework publications
• International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) — S-57/S-101 ENC standards and WWNWS coordination
• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) — UN/LOCODE
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) — World Port Index, HYDROPAC, HYDROLANT, HYDROARC
• United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) — ADMIRALTY data products (where licensed)
• OpenStreetMap contributors — Supplementary coastal and port geography under ODbL licence
• Natural Earth — Public domain vector map data for basemap rendering
• ITU — Radio Regulations and MMSI assignment framework

Where third-party data is reproduced under open licence, attribution is provided in accordance with the applicable licence terms. Where data is used under commercial licence, acknowledgment is provided here as required by those agreements.

Data Accuracy and Updates

HeyMariner strives to provide accurate, timely maritime data but cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or currency of any information on the platform. Maritime data environments are dynamic: vessels change flag, ownership, and name; ports change their restrictions and facilities; NAVAREA warnings are issued and cancelled; and weather models are continuously updated.

Update frequencies vary by data type:

• Live AIS positions: Updated as received from the data feed, typically within minutes for vessels within terrestrial network range
• Vessel particulars: Updated periodically from registry databases, typically weekly
• Port information: Updated monthly or upon receipt of official Notice to Mariners amendments
• NAVAREA warnings: Updated as published by coordinating authorities, with best-effort near-real-time synchronisation
• Weather forecasts: Updated in line with model run cycles, typically every 6 hours for global models

Users who identify data errors or outdated information are encouraged to report them using the feedback mechanism on the relevant data page or by emailing data@heymariner.com. We investigate all reports and correct confirmed errors promptly.

Contact for Data Licensing

If you are a data provider, hydrographic office, port authority, or maritime organisation interested in partnering with HeyMariner for data supply, correction, or licensing, we welcome your enquiry.

Similarly, if you believe that data displayed on HeyMariner infringes your intellectual property rights or is being used outside the scope of an applicable licence, please contact us immediately so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

For all data licensing enquiries, please contact: data@heymariner.com. For intellectual property concerns, please refer to our DMCA Policy or email legal@heymariner.com directly.