Passing By

Support

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Frequently asked

I don’t see any ships near me.: Passing By only shows vessels actively broadcasting on AIS. If you’re inland or far from a shipping lane, the carousel may be empty or sparse. The app also runs in a simulated mode by default, so you should always see something. If you’ve added an AIS key and still see nothing in a coastal area, try increasing the search radius in Settings or restarting the app.
How do I get an AIS data key?: Sign up for a free account at aisstream.io and copy the key into Settings → AIS Data. It’s stored in the iOS Keychain on your device and never sent anywhere except aisstream.io.
Why does a ship I can see from my window not show up?: Some smaller boats — recreational craft, certain ferries, fishing vessels under a size threshold — aren’t required to broadcast AIS. The app can only see ships that broadcast.
Why are some ships ranked above others?: We prioritize vessels that make for a more interesting story: actively moving ships with named destinations, larger commercial vessels, and ships that are closer to you. Moored or anchored boats with no destination are deprioritized.
Can I switch between kilometers and nautical miles?: Yes — toggle in Settings.
Will this drain my battery?: The live data stream pauses automatically when the app is in the background, and location is only read when the app is active. You shouldn’t see meaningful battery impact from normal use.

See our privacy policy for details on what the app does and does not collect.