An AIS vessel search API in Python turns a name or IMO into an MMSI you can track. On Vessels API that is GET /api/V1/vessels/search with header X-API-Key. Envelope is {status,success,message,data}.
Starter is $19.99/mo (2,500 calls) with a 7-day trial. MCP: mcp.vessels-api.com. There is no geofence endpoint.
Request: search
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
"https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/search?name=ATLANTIC"Python + official track sibling (2026-02-09)
import os, urllib.request
req = urllib.request.Request(
"https://vessels-api.com/api/V1/vessels/search?name=ATLANTIC",
headers={"X-API-Key": os.environ["VESSELS_KEY"]},
)
print(urllib.request.urlopen(req).read().decode())Docs do not publish a full search dump. The official track sibling for MMSI 258785000 (ZJ ATLANTIC) is dated 2026-02-09 — use that MMSI after you resolve a name. Do not invent extra positions. Live-position is Professional+ and a separate quota.
Go live
1. Register — 7-day trial.
2. Copy X-API-Key.
3. GET /api/V1/vessels/search with a name or IMO.
4. Track the returned MMSI on /api/V1/vessel/track.
