An AIS live position API returns one ship’s latest AIS fix — latitude, longitude, course, speed, and navigational status — as JSON. On Vessels API that is GET https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessel/live-position with header X-API-Key. Required query params: imo (7 digits) and mmsi (9 digits). Demo config uses IMO 9255816 and MMSI 249068000.
Starter is $19.99/mo (2,500 calls, 7-day trial). Live position is Professional+ and uses a separate AIS quota — it is not on the public playground. Nearby (/api/V1/vessels/nearby) is a different endpoint. There is no geofence path. Docs: vessels-api.com/docs.
Request: official demo params
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
"https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessel/live-position?imo=9255816&mmsi=249068000"
Optional: sat (0/1), interval (1–60 minutes), extradata (voyage, master, or both).
Response: official docs sample
[
{
"AIS": {
"MMSI": 356882000,
"TIMESTAMP": "2026-06-16 16:32:17 UTC",
"LATITUDE": -26.3431,
"LONGITUDE": -70.65968,
"COURSE": 337,
"SPEED": 0.2,
"HEADING": 231,
"NAVSTAT": 1,
"IMO": 9873888,
"NAME": "ULTRA FOREST",
"CALLSIGN": "3FEM6",
"TYPE": 70,
"DRAUGHT": 7.3,
"DESTINATION": "CLPAT<=>CLBAR",
"SRC": "TER"
}
}
]
The response is a JSON array, not the {status,success,data} envelope used on other Vessels routes. The sample ship (ULTRA FOREST / IMO 9873888) is not the demo IMO in the curl — copy the curl with your key for a matching pair.
Go live
1. Register — 7-day trial on Starter.
2. Upgrade to Professional+ for live position.
3. GET with imo and mmsi.
4. Read [0].AIS.LATITUDE / LONGITUDE.