Sutton Mariners Sailing Club

A few members have noticed that the location of Petal was not updated on Vesselfinder website and also on club website on the right which uses the same service.

The reason being is what AIS actually is and how the online part of it works. 

AIS works as a radio transmitter and it was not intended originally to be followed online on the internet. It’s not the original purpose. The way AIS is displayed on websites and apps is by receiving stations which are often volunteers that receive the signal at their seaside locations and upload it to the internet.
These stations are in random places alongside the coast and the AIS signal is in VHF band which is line of sight. It is therefore common for AIS signal to be lost around headlands and in certain harbours.
It also depends on the website, there are two main ones: Vesselfinder and Marinetraffic.
If vessel is lost on one, better check the other, link for Petal for an alternative website: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:7757367/zoom:14

That website shows Petal in Salcombe:

12th May

Slipped mooring at 0518 fair weather, NE wind F3.

Made great progress reaching 7.5knts over the ground at Stokes Bay – Anchored off Worbarrow Bay, Windlass works well on chain but not rope hence anchor slipped in wind overnight and had to move at 0300 – need more chain.

13th May

Good weather and great sail West across Lyme Bay – arrived at Dartmouth 1530