Observed arrival · 2026-10-26
Dark Vessel Observer: an AIS-dark ship map
An analytical map that links satellite detections without AIS to vessels that might plausibly have been nearby.
○Open
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†Ads
✦Pretty
●Pro
◎Niche
◉Human
⚑Risk
ƒJS
- For
- Researchers, journalists, and maritime analysts
- Worth noticing
- Its double-check layer compares detections against 55,324 fixed structures, islands, reefs, land cover, and the image itself.
Field notes
The page distinguishes Sentinel-2 optical detections from Sentinel-1 radar detections, which it says work day and night. Its matching workflow considers whether a vessel could reach a detection in time, along with reported dimensions and course, and gives greater weight to sanctioned vessels. The project warns that false detections can include turbines, platforms, islands, clouds, and image seams; it says the data is delayed and not real-time.
Observed signals
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Editorial observations of this landing page, not a rating.
○OpenPublic substance visible
✦PrettyNotable craft visible
●ProPolished or operationally mature
◎NicheUnusually specific use
◉HumanPersonal, local, civic, or handmade
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