Pilot Plug

Live AIS, NMEA & docking data viewer for pilots and bridge officers

Pilot Plug is a professional maritime navigation data viewer for pilots, captains, ship officers, and marine technicians.

It connects to a vessel’s pilot plug, AIS source, NMEA TCP stream, or compatible GPS/NMEA receiver over Wi-Fi and presents live ship movement information clearly on a mobile device - on the main bridge, on the bridge wing, or anywhere local navigation data is needed for situational awareness.

Primary useSituational awareness, testing, training, monitoring, and reference.

Main data typesPosition, COG, SOG, heading, rate of turn, AIS/NMEA source data, and docking movement values.

Connection typeWi-Fi TCP connection to pilot plug, AIS, NMEA, GPS/NMEA, or smart pilot plug source.

Commercial modelOne-time purchase. No ads. No subscriptions.

1. Why Pilot Plug

On many vessels, full navigation data is available on the main bridge but not always on the bridge wings. During docking and manoeuvring, the operator on the wing may control engines, thrusters, and rudder, but may not have direct access to heading, rate of turn, COG/SOG, or precise position.

Pilot Plug helps bring this data to a mobile device, supporting situational awareness during pilotage, docking, manoeuvring, testing, and training.

2. Key Features

Live position, COG, SOG, heading, and rate of turn
Pilot plug, AIS, NMEA TCP, and Wi-Fi GPS/NMEA receiver support
Special NMEA Mode designed for clean GPS/NMEA monitoring
FREEZE function for stable position and time snapshots during logbook entries
Source tagging for AIS, NMEA, and calculated values
Freshness indicators showing whether data is live, delayed, or stale
Docking Mode with surge, sway, bow sway, and aft sway readouts
Docking Prediction Mode / Docking Mode B with motion-based vessel position projection
KA motion logic developed from KlaipedaTraffic.lt vessel movement work
Automatic AIS own-ship detection when static AIS data is available
Manual ship setup for length, breadth, and GPS antenna offsets
Selectable AIS and NMEA sources for position and heading
Connection presets for pilot plug devices including Trenz+, Navicom, and KSNTEK
Manual IP address and port entry for custom TCP data sources
Smoothing and spike filtering for stable docking values
Built-in user manual and safety information

3. Wi-Fi GPS and NMEA Mode

Pilot Plug is not limited to ship pilot plug equipment. It can also be used with compatible GPS receivers and marine devices that output standard NMEA data over Wi-Fi/TCP.

The dedicated NMEA Mode provides a clean display of position, COG, SOG, and time. It is useful with external GPS receivers, portable NMEA transmitters, test systems, and local marine data setups.

The FREEZE function allows the user to hold a stable snapshot of position and time. This is useful when a vessel position or exact time must be written into the ship’s logbook without trying to read constantly changing values.

4. Connection

Pilot Plug works with pilot plug, AIS, and NMEA Wi-Fi devices that expose an NMEA or AIS TCP feed.

Many pilot plug Wi-Fi networks have no internet access. Android may ask whether to stay connected to a network without internet. Always select “Keep connection” or similar when prompted, otherwise Android may switch to mobile data and the app may lose the local pilot plug connection.

5. Typical Setup Steps

Power on the pilot plug, AIS, GPS/NMEA, or smart pilot plug Wi-Fi source.
Connect the Android device to the local Wi-Fi network from that device.
If Android warns that the network has no internet, choose to stay connected.
Open Pilot Plug.
Choose the correct connection preset or enter the manual IP address and port.
Confirm that values show as live and check them against official bridge equipment.
Use the appropriate mode: main data view, NMEA Mode, Docking Mode, or Docking Prediction Mode.

6. Docking Mode and Prediction

Docking Mode is designed for slow-speed vessel movement awareness. It presents docking-related values such as surge, sway, bow sway, and aft sway in a format that is easier to read during close-quarters manoeuvring.

Docking Prediction Mode / Docking Mode B uses motion-based vessel position projection to help visualize how the current movement trend may develop over a short future window.

How to open Docking Mode BLong-press the Docking Mode button to switch into Docking Mode B (the prediction view). A short tap opens standard Docking Mode as usual.

The docking calculations depend on available input data and the selected ship setup, including vessel length, breadth, and GPS antenna offsets. Always cross-check the display with official instruments and visual observation.

7. Ship Setup

Use automatic AIS own-ship detection when reliable static AIS data is available.
Use manual ship setup when AIS static data is unavailable or when you want to confirm exact dimensions and GPS antenna offsets.
Enter vessel length, breadth, GPS distance from aft, and GPS distance from port side carefully.
Incorrect ship setup can produce incorrect docking movement and prediction values.

8. Source Tags and Freshness

Pilot Plug uses source tagging to help identify where values come from, such as AIS, NMEA, or calculated values. Freshness indicators help show whether data is live, delayed, or stale.

If data becomes stale, delayed, or inconsistent, check the Wi-Fi connection, TCP source, pilot plug device, AIS/NMEA stream, and Android network settings.

9. Privacy and Data

Pilot Plug processes navigation data locally on your device.

It does not collect, store, sell, or transmit personal data to the developer. It does not require an account, internet connection, advertising services, or third-party cloud services. Data remains on the local pilot plug, AIS, or NMEA network.

One-time purchase. No ads. No subscriptions.

10. Professional Use Notice

Important safety notice

Pilot Plug is an assistive monitoring tool intended for situational awareness, testing, training, and reference only.

It is not approved as a primary navigation system.

Do not use this app as the sole source for navigation, collision avoidance, docking, pilotage, or any safety-critical decision. Always rely on official ship instruments, approved navigational equipment, radar, ECDIS, visual lookout, bridge team procedures, and professional judgement. Cross-check all values against certified bridge equipment.

11. Support

For support, questions, or feedback, use the support contact listed on the Pilot Plug website or app store listing.

Website: pilotplug.app