Why Does MarineRadar Show the Wrong Vessel Location?
Seeing a ship in the wrong place on a MarineRadar map can be confusing. You may expect a vessel to appear near a port, but instead it shows far away or moving in a strange direction. This situation, commonly called Wrong Vessel Location, can occur for several reasons.
The situation does not always mean the radar system is broken. Let’s learn why this occurs and how to handle it with ease.
What Does the Wrong Vessel Location Actually Mean?
In simple words, wrong vessel location means the ship’s position on the MarineRadar map does not match where the vessel actually is.
Sometimes the ship looks delayed. At other times, it may appear off-route or even on land. Although this initially seems concerning, most cases have obvious causes.
Main Reasons MarineRadar Shows Wrong Vessel Location
1. Delayed AIS Signal Updates
First of all, MarineRadar relies heavily on AIS (Automatic Identification System) data. Ships send AIS signals at regular intervals, not every second.
Therefore:
- Slow updates can shift positions
- Fast-moving vessels may appear behind.
- Signal gaps can cause jumps on the map.
As a result, Wrong Vessel Location may appear temporarily until the next update arrives.
2. Weak or Lost AIS Signal
AIS signals travel through radio waves. However, signal strength can drop due to:
- Long distance from shore
- Bad weather conditions
- Mountains or obstacles
- Ships switching off AIS temporarily.
When signals are lost, marine radar may continue to display the last known position, leading to location errors.
3. Internet Connection Issues
Even if the ship sends perfect data, your internet connection still matters.
With slow or unstable internet:
- Map tiles may not refresh
- Vessel movement may freeze.
- Data may load partially.
As a result, incorrect vessel location often occurs under weak network conditions.
4. Manual Data Entry Errors by Crew
Ship crews manually enter a large number of AIS details.
This includes:
- Destination port
- Navigation status
- Course information
MarineRadar shows exactly what it receives if inaccurate data is entered. Therefore, the vessel itself may be the source of the problem at times.
5. GPS Accuracy Limitations
Ships use onboard GPS systems. While they are generally accurate, they can still:
- Drift slightly over time may
- be impacted by interference.
- Lose accuracy near ports or structures.
When GPS accuracy drops, Wrong Vessel Location becomes visible on radar maps.
Why Does the Vessel Appear on Land?
This is one of the most confusing situations. However, it usually happens because:
- The map hasn’t refreshed yet
- The AIS position is old.
- The zoom level is too high.
- Satellite imagery hasn’t loaded.
Once the data updates, the vessel usually snaps back to its correct position.
How to Fix or Reduce Wrong Vessel Location Issues?
Although users can’t control AIS signals directly, several simple steps help reduce confusion.
Refresh the Map
Refreshing forces the app to load the latest data.
Zoom In or Out
Changing zoom levels often corrects map alignment.
Wait for the Next AIS Update
Most location issues resolve themselves within minutes.
Check Network Stability
Switch to a stronger Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
Does Wrong Vessel Location Mean the App Is Faulty?
Absolutely not. MarineRadar displays information precisely as it is received. The display indicates when data is inaccurate, missing, or delayed.
In most cases, Wrong Vessel Location is temporary and corrects itself automatically.
Conclusion
Seeing a wrong vessel location on MarineRadar can feel alarming. However, once you understand AIS signals, internet delays, and GPS limitations, everything becomes clearer.
Instead of assuming something is wrong, it’s better to wait, refresh, and observe. Most tracking issues fix themselves naturally.
Download MarineRadar: Vessel Tracker from the Google Play Store or App Store today and experience real-time ship tracking.
FAQs
Q: Why does a vessel show up suddenly on the map?
This happens when delayed AIS data updates suddenly refresh.
Q: Can ships hide their real location?
Some ships turn off AIS for security reasons, which may cause location gaps.
Q: Does zoom level affect vessel position?
Yes, extreme zoom levels can sometimes distort map alignment.
Q: Is marine radar accurate for live tracking?
Yes, but accuracy depends on AIS signal quality and network stability.
