# Open Waters AIS

This MCP server gives AI assistants live AIS vessel data by MMSI, name, area, or radius. It helps when a coding agent needs current vessel positions without a key.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 8
- Author: openwatersio
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/openwatersio/aiscast
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/open-waters-ais

## What it does

Open Waters AIS connects an AI assistant to live AIS data through MCP. It exposes five read-only tools: look up vessels by MMSI or name, list vessels in an area, find vessels near a point or another vessel, and inspect coverage. Basic access requires no sign-in or API key.

The server is available at `https://ais.openwaters.io/mcp`; in Claude Code, add it with `claude mcp add --transport http ais https://ais.openwaters.io/mcp`. It also supports Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Cline, Zed, and Windsurf (Devin Desktop). The service is in beta, has no SLA, and coverage varies by location, so results depend on the area being queried.

## Requirements
- Remote server: `https://ais.openwaters.io/mcp`

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI: remote server**
```bash
claude mcp add --transport http ais https://ais.openwaters.io/mcp
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI: remote server**
```bash
codex mcp add open-waters-ais --url https://ais.openwaters.io/mcp
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "open-waters-ais": {
            "url": "https://ais.openwaters.io/mcp"
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "open-waters-ais": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://ais.openwaters.io/mcp"
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI: remote server**
```bash
gemini mcp add -t http open-waters-ais https://ais.openwaters.io/mcp
```

## When to use it
- look up a vessel by MMSI or name
- list vessels inside a geographic area
- find vessels near a point or another vessel
- check AIS coverage for a location

## Example prompts
- Find the vessel with MMSI `368168720` and show its latest details.
- Which vessels are currently inside this area? Check AIS coverage nearby.
- Find vessels close to this vessel’s current position.

## Similar
- [Vessel Traffic MCP](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/vessel-traffic-mcp.md) — MCP server · ★ 8
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- [searoute](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/searoute.md) — MCP server · ★ 10
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