Wightlink Ferries are using automatic identification system (AIS) tracking technology to provide real-time online maps showing all of the company’s ships and catamarans, whether they are at sea or in port.
The cross-Solent operator have launched 3 maps covering each route – Portsmouth-Fishbourne; Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier Head and Lymington-Yarmouth. Each vessel is represented by a coloured dot, which turns into a dot with an arrow pointing in the direction of travel, when the ferry is underway. If inquirers click on the dot, they will see the name of the ship and its speed. Customers can also find the service status of every route on the same page, which can be viewed on a computer screen, tablet or mobile phone.
The maps can be found at https://www.wightlink.co.uk/go/service-status/#livemaps.
Wightlink’s IT Director, Stuart James said:
“We believe customers will be keen to track our ships’ progress throughout the day. Our systems team believe it will be a valuable benefit for our customers on both sides of the Solent.”
A button providing a link to the maps can be found on the Wightlink website home page as well as in the ‘go’ section of the site and the link directory at the bottom of every page.
Wightlink staff have worked with Portsmouth-based web developers AMT Evolve on the project.
