Military and law-enforcement vessels on AIS
Naval vessels, coast guard and police boats can report AIS codes 35, 55 or 59 — when they transmit at all. What the codes mean, why warships are under no obligation to appear, and what our shore-based receivers hear now.
Codes 35, 55, 59354 heard in latest snapshot150+ in store
Which AIS codes count as military and law-enforcement vessels
Three codes land here: 35 is "military operations", 55 is "law enforcement vessel", and 59 is a ship identifying itself under ITU Radio Regulations Resolution 18 — the procedure for ships of states that are not party to an armed conflict. Medical transports have their own code, 58, on the service page.
This category describes what the vessels say about themselves. A warship can broadcast any type code, or none, and a patrol boat using code 55 may belong to a coast guard, a police force, customs or a fisheries authority.
| Code | Meaning | Heard now |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Military operations | 122 |
| 55 | Law enforcement vessel | 211 |
| 59 | Non-combatant ship | 21 |
How to spot one on the live map
Expect very few. Warships routinely sail with AIS off or transmit only in busy waters where it helps avoid collisions. Coast guard and police boats are more often visible near their home ports.
Absence on this map tells you nothing about naval activity. It is the expected state.
Open the live map → Positions there are the latest known, with their source and age.
Who has to carry AIS
SOLAS does not apply to warships and naval auxiliaries, so there is no international requirement for them to carry or switch on AIS. Many navies fit it and use it at their own discretion; law-enforcement fleets follow national policy.
The navigational status to expect
Ship type says what a vessel is; navigational status says what it claims to be doing. These are the statuses that normally go with military and law-enforcement vessels:
Where the type code misleads
AIS is unauthenticated: any transmitter can claim any type. A code 35 is a claim, not proof of a military vessel, and the inverse holds just as firmly.
This site presents open data about maritime activity in general. It is not built for, and should not be used for, tracking specific military or law-enforcement vessels.
Questions
Do warships show up on AIS?
Sometimes. Warships are not bound by the SOLAS carriage rules, so many sail with AIS off or transmit only when it suits them, such as in congested waters. Their absence from a map is normal.
What is AIS ship type 55?
Law enforcement vessel. It is used by coast guards, police, customs and similar agencies, depending on national practice.
What is AIS ship type 59?
A ship identifying itself under ITU Radio Regulations Resolution 18, which covers ships of states that are not party to an armed conflict. It is very rarely seen in normal traffic.
Further reading
In our store
Military vessels we have heard
10 with a position
| Vessel | MMSI | Type | Destination | Speed | Course | Status | Position age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YAG VANO | 230997470 | Military operations | NAV TRAINING | 0.0 kn | 52° | Moored | 19 min ago |
| NATO WARSHIP | 300000000 | Military operations | Not reported | 7.7 kn | 266° | Under way using engine | 19 min ago |
| POLIS 139 9970 | 265002050 | Law enforcement vessel | Not reported | 0.0 kn | Not reported | Not reported | 19 min ago |
| SWE COAST GUARD 311 | 265506960 | Law enforcement vessel | PATROL | 10.4 kn | 257° | Under way using engine | 19 min ago |
| ARANDA | 230145000 | Non-combatant ship | HELSINKI | 0.0 kn | 265° | Moored | 19 min ago |
| RV90 | 230128680 | Law enforcement vessel | N | 0.0 kn | 257° | Moored | 52 min ago |
| POLIS 139-9950 | 265565600 | Law enforcement vessel | Not reported | 0.0 kn | 249° | Under way using engine | 52 min ago |
| SWE COAST GUARD 202 | 265819000 | Law enforcement vessel | N/A | 0.0 kn | 277° | Moored | 52 min ago |
| SWE COAST GUARD 031 | 266333000 | Law enforcement vessel | PATROLING | 0.0 kn | 101° | Moored | 1 h ago |
| LV WARSHIP P-08 | 275428000 | Military operations | Not reported | 8.3 kn | 49° | Under way using engine | 2 h ago |
| NATO WARSHIP | 12345678 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| P901 BNS CASTOR | 205662000 | Military operations | A | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| NATO WARSHIP 13 | 207513000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| NATO WARSHIP 42 | 207522000 | Military operations | 0 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| NATO WARSHIP | 211123456 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| GERMAN WARSHIP A514 | 211210100 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| GORCH FOCK | 211210280 | Military operations | IS RVK | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| GERMAN WARSHIP M1061 | 211211160 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| BAUMHOLDER | 211212700 | Military operations | KIEL | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| GERMAN WARSHIP F262 | 211912000 | Military operations | KORVETTE K130 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| STOLLERGRUND | 211944000 | Military operations | DE ECK | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| KALKGRUND | 211945000 | Military operations | ECKERNFOERDE DE | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FGS RUEGEN A1453 | 211946000 | Military operations | KIEL | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| MHV 806 DUBHE | 219000186 | Military operations | HVIDE SANDE | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| MHV 807 JUPITER | 219000187 | Military operations | THISTED | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| MHV 810 LUNA | 219000191 | Military operations | MILITARY OPS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ALSIN | 219002067 | Military operations | KORSOR | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HDMS LAUGE KOCH | 219030000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| CMO SIM | 219031279 | Military operations | HOLM | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| GUNNAR SEIDENFADEN | 219262000 | Military operations | PATROLLING | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| RULL | 224013750 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ESPS NAVY SHIP F101 | 224457000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ESPNAVY A33 | 224886000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ESPNAVY SHIP | 224964000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SPANISH WARSHIP | 224965000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SP NAVY MAR CARIBE | 225323000 | Military operations | ESP CADIZ | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ESPNAVY P82 | 225335000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SPS MALASPINA | 225343000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ESPS TOFINO A-32 | 225345000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ALBORAN | 225988520 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| NATO WARSHIP F105 | 225988524 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| MATEO DE LOS REY S84 | 225993584 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ESP NAVY P-83 | 225995814 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SP NAVY A61 | 225997546 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| NATO WARSHIP | 227000000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| GAPEAU | 227806700 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| DGA 4A | 227808400 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRENCH WARSHIP MNN | 227809300 | Military operations | 0 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| VH PHAETON | 227825100 | Military operations | BREST | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRENCH WARSHIP GPR | 227999992 | Military operations | 0 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRENCH WARSHIP | 228000000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SABRE | 228866100 | Military operations | NOUMEA | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HALLEBARDE | 228866500 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRENCH WARSHIP ARE | 228867700 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRENCH WARSHIP | 228870500 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRENCH WARSHIP | 228891500 | Military operations | 0 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRENCH NAVY SHIP | 228893600 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRENCH WARSHIP | 228894300 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FABIAN WREDE 690 | 230005150 | Military operations | NAV TRAINING | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| WILHELM CARPELAN 691 | 230008100 | Military operations | NAV TRAINING | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| NATO WARSHIP | 230010000 | Military operations | . | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS VAHTERPAA 42 | 230014000 | Military operations | SAFETY DIST 0.5NM | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| AXEL VON FERSEN | 230014710 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS U607 | 230116610 | Military operations | U | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS U612 | 230116680 | Military operations | R | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS U613 | 230117910 | Military operations | K | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HARUNA | 230199700 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS LOUHI 999 | 230616000 | Military operations | = | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS HANKO 82 | 230988340 | Military operations | O | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FINNISH WARSHIP 80 | 230991040 | Military operations | - | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FINNISH WARSHIP 02 | 230997210 | Military operations | MIL-OPS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FINNISH WARSHIP 05 | 230997240 | Military operations | MILITARY OPS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS PANSIO 90 | 230997540 | Military operations | SAARISTOMERI | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS PYHARANTA 92 | 230997550 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FNS PORKKALA 91 | 230997560 | Military operations | M | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HMS LEDBURY | 232002283 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| BRITISH WARSHIP | 232002833 | Military operations | NA | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HMS MAGPIE | 232015144 | Military operations | AA | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| BRITISH WARSHIP | 232015624 | Military operations | H | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SWB03 | 232022223 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SWB-05 | 232022226 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SWB-04 | 232022227 | Military operations | FASLANE | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SWB-06 | 232022228 | Military operations | MILITARY OPS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SWB-07 | 232022229 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| VAHANA-10 | 232024270 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| RNMB HEBE | 232026014 | Military operations | MILITARY OPS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HMS DAGGER | 232035462 | Military operations | LAST UPDATE TIME | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HMS CUTLASS | 232035463 | Military operations | LAST UPDATE TIME | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SEA FURY | 232037743 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| PATRICK BLACKETT | 232040743 | Military operations | PORTSMOUTH | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| RFA PROTEUS | 232047056 | Military operations | N/A | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| STIRLING CASTLE | 232047057 | Military operations | SEA | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| RATTER 4 | 232060807 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HMS SEVERN | 234623000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| BRITISH WARSHIP | 234637000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HMS ST ALBANS | 234638000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| LCU 9734 | 235070238 | Military operations | 0 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| UN WARSHIP F459 | 237780103 | Military operations | VOLISOS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| MOULAY HASSAN 1ER | 242422400 | Military operations | SAN FERNANDO, CADIZ | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| AM32 DUNAFOLDVAR | 243042704 | Military operations | BUDAPEST | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| AM31 DUNAUJVAROS | 243042706 | Military operations | BUDAPEST | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| GOUWE | 244087000 | Military operations | DEN HELDER | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| L9528 | 244097000 | Military operations | DEN HELDER | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| LCU L9529 | 244183000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRISC RHIBC 02 | 244192000 | Military operations | DEN OEVER | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| RV2108 | 244378605 | Military operations | HARNS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HNLMS ZIERIKZEE | 244591000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| VAN KINSBERGEN | 244736000 | Military operations | NL DHR | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| WM8-2202 | 244993000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| BALGZAND | 245045000 | Military operations | HARDINGXVELD | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| L9526 | 245047000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRISC RHISC-09 | 245111000 | Military operations | DEN HELDER | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| WM8-2302 | 245149000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| LCVP L-9576 | 245303000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| LCVP L-9567 | 245367000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| WM8-2304 | 245655000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HNLMS SNELLIUS | 245690000 | Military operations | . | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRISC RHIRC-01 | 245792000 | Military operations | DEN HELDER | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRISC RHIRC-04 | 245915000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HNLMS LUYMES | 245939000 | Military operations | . | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| NIEUWEDIEP | 246223000 | Military operations | DEN HELDER | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| MARSDIEP | 246561000 | Military operations | GORINCHEM | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| LANDTDIEP | 246562000 | Military operations | DEN HELDER | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| FRISC RHIRC-15 | 246679000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| GDF_G219 | 247251600 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| G222 | 247251900 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| V.1310 | 247493600 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| V.8002 | 247511900 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HAUK | 257036200 | Military operations | PATROL | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HPB 3 | 257176440 | Military operations | VHF16 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SJOBJORN 38 HPB4 | 257431850 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| SJOBJORN 38 HPB5 | 257472260 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HPB 2 | 257719780 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| NORWEGIAN SUBMARINE | 259012000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| KNM OTRA | 259014000 | Military operations | MIL. OPS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| KNM RAUMA | 259015000 | Military operations | MIL.OPS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| KNM MAALOEY | 259018000 | Military operations | MIL.OPS. | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| KNM SKJOLD | 259026000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| KNM GNIST | 259031000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| KNM FRIDTJOF NANSEN | 259041000 | Military operations | MILITARY OPRATIONS | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| KNM OTTO SVERDRUP | 259043000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HS-4 SLEIPNER | 259046000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ELLINGEN | 259046620 | Military operations | DREVFLESA | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| HS 5 MJOLNER | 259047000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| ORP JASKOLKA | 261009805 | Military operations | GDANSK PROBY MORSKIE | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| H1 - GNIEWKO | 261082070 | Military operations | 0 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| K-8 | 261111222 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| K-9 | 261123456 | Military operations | GDYNIA | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| POLISH WARSHIP 282 | 261211000 | Military operations | GDYNIA | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
| POLISH WARSHIP 825 | 261228000 | Military operations | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | No position held |
Listed newest position first, capped at 150 rows. Ship type is self-declared by the vessel and is not verified by anyone.