# BoatNerd — Great Lakes Ship Tracker > Real-time AIS vessel tracking for Great Lakes and beyond. (iPhone/iPad app by Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online Inc.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boatnerd/id6762239759 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1893512544) - Category: Navigation, Travel - Price: Free - Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.6 · 44 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-06-23 - Data updated: 2026-09-07 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boatnerd/id6762239759/reviews.md ## What is BoatNerd? Track vessel traffic across the Great Lakes and beyond with the BoatNerd App. BoatNerd brings live AIS vessel tracking to your iPhone and iPad, making it easy for ship enthusiasts, photographers, maritime professionals, and waterfront observers to follow freighters, tankers, tugboats, passenger vessels, and more in real time. Whether you're watching from shore, planning a photography outing, or simply curious about maritime traffic, BoatNerd provides a fast and intuitive way to track vessels and stay connected to activity on the water. Features: •⁠ ⁠Live AIS vessel tracking and interactive maps •⁠ ⁠Real-time vessel positions, speed, course, and destination information •⁠ ⁠Detailed vessel profiles and navigation information •⁠ ⁠Search for specific vessels by name • ETA waypoint tools to estimate when a vessel will reach a selected location •⁠ ⁠Vessel Passage Section that shows past and future passages •⁠ ⁠Free US and Canadian Nautical Chart Layers •⁠ ⁠Free layers showing weather, buoys, weather ops and more •⁠ ⁠View traffic throughout the Great Lakes and other AIS-covered waterways •⁠ ⁠Easy-to-use interface optimized for mobile devices •⁠ ⁠Frequent updates powered by AIS data sources •… And because we are BoatNerds, a section where you can blow vessel salutes from your phone Perfect for: •⁠ ⁠Ship watchers and maritime enthusiasts •⁠ ⁠Great Lakes fans and waterfront communities •⁠ ⁠Marine photographers •⁠ ⁠Boaters and recreational mariners •⁠ ⁠Anyone interested in vessel traffic and maritime operations Download BoatNerd and stay connected to the vessels you love to follow—wherever they are on the water. Note: Vessel tracking depends on AIS signal availability and coverage. Some areas may have limited or delayed data. ## Key features - Live AIS vessel tracking - Interactive maps - Real-time vessel data - Detailed vessel profiles - ETA waypoint tools - Vessel passage history - Free nautical charts and weather layers ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boatnerd/id6762239759/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Amazing resource! *2026-07-22* Amazing app. ### 5/5 — Simple and outstanding! *2026-07-07* With the “demise” of the Marine Traffic app, this fills that void and does so 100x over! Well done! ### 5/5 — Amazing!!! *2026-07-03* I’ve been using boatnerd since I started spotting ships a long while ago and it’s amazing, my favorite of any ais or ship site, and I am so stoked that it’s an app now ## Frequently asked questions about BoatNerd ### What is BoatNerd? BoatNerd is a free navigation app that provides live AIS vessel tracking across the Great Lakes and other waterways. It allows users to monitor real-time ship positions, speed, and destination information. ### Is BoatNerd free to use? Yes, BoatNerd is completely free to download and use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, making it a fully free experience for all users. ### What devices does BoatNerd support? BoatNerd is available for iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is optimized for mobile use with an easy-to-understand interface. ### How accurate is the vessel tracking in BoatNerd? Vessel tracking accuracy in BoatNerd depends on AIS signal availability and coverage. Some areas may experience limited or delayed data, but the app strives to provide the most up-to-date information possible. ### Can I see past vessel movements with BoatNerd? Yes, BoatNerd features a Vessel Passage Section that allows you to view both past and future passages of vessels. This provides historical context and helps in planning. ### Does BoatNerd offer offline maps? BoatNerd provides free US and Canadian Nautical Chart Layers, as well as weather and buoy layers. While these layers enhance navigation, the live tracking functionality requires an active internet connection due to its reliance on AIS data. ### How often is BoatNerd updated? BoatNerd is updated frequently, powered by AIS data sources. The app was last updated on June 23, 2026, with version 1.0, indicating ongoing development and data integration. ### What kind of vessels can I track with BoatNerd? With BoatNerd, you can track a wide variety of vessels including freighters, tankers, tugboats, and passenger vessels. The app provides real-time information on their positions, speed, course, and destination. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 1.0 — 2026-06-23 No release notes. ## Related topics [travel tracker boat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/travel-tracker-boat) · [great lakes ship tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/great-lakes-ship-tracker) · [freighter tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/freighter-tracker) · [amos 2023](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/amos-2023) · [holland america line navigator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/holland-america-line-navigator) · [great lakes hd nautical charts](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/great-lakes-hd-nautical-charts) · [canoe catchapp](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/canoe-catchapp) · [free ship tracking](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/free-ship-tracking) · [brest marinas](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/brest-marinas) · [scuttlebutt magazines](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/scuttlebutt-magazines) · [globle hour marine](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/globle-hour-marine) · [esail4vr](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/esail4vr) · [lagoon catamarans app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lagoon-catamarans-app) · [skunktracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/skunktracker) · [ocean canada map](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ocean-canada-map) · [aton boat tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/aton-boat-tracker) · [bsnavigator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bsnavigator) · [ais boat tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ais-boat-tracker) · [damen in2qc](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/damen-in2qc) · [argo boating navigation](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/argo-boating-navigation) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-07.*