Truly Global Vessel Tracking

Vessel tracking requirements stretch from recreational sailors wishing to maintain communications with their families,
through to government-enforced vessel monitoring systems (VMS).

If you are a yacht owner, or participate in / organize yacht races, we'd recommend speaking to our sister company,
YB Tracking, as they're specifically set up to serve your needs.

However, if you manage a fleet, or you're a VMS provider looking for a hardware partner, you're in the right place!
Visit YB Tracking Tracking Overview Aircraft Tracking Vehicle Tracking Remote Worker Tracking Tracking Partners

Vessel Tracking Devices

One of the founding companies that makes up Ground Control, Rock Seven, started life providing satellite tracking and communication for ocean-bound vessels, and we're proud to design and build our own hardware. We also partner with other manufacturers when they have a particularly good product!

The RockFLEET is designed for permanent installation on your vessel; it's fully ruggedized and will send your location data and messages from anywhere on the globe. It's dual-mode cellular and satellite, and will use the lowest cost service available.

The RockSTAR is an essential safety device for sailors; it has a phenomenal battery life, and a host of safety features making it ideal for emergency communication.

The Iridium GO! turns your smartphone into a satellite phone, so you can make calls in addition to sending message and location data.

RockFLEET: for permanent installation

RockSTAR: emergency two-way comms

Iridium GO! turns your cell phone into a satphone

“The RockFLEET device is a high-quality product that has proven easy to install and operate, but still offers the sophisticated data and coverage that the Queensland fishing industry requires.”

Peter Bolger CEO, Pivotel

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    Iridium-Global-Coverage-Map-2023

    Iridium Coverage Map

    Our preferred vessel tracking devices utilize the Iridium satellite constellation for three key reasons: global coverage, low latency, and high reliability.

    The Iridium satellite constellation is in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which means that your location data and messages will typically be sent and received in less than one second.

    Their cross-linked network of 66 satellites means that not only is there usually three to four satellites passing overhead at any given time, they also send data between each other. That means you don’t need to ‘point’ your satellite device; the signal will be received and transmitted from anywhere on the globe with a clear view of the sky.

    Find Out More About Iridium Coverage

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      Short Burst Data Service Plans and Pricing

      We use the Short Burst Data (Iridium SBD) service on the RockFLEET and RockSTAR, because it’s extremely cost-effective for tracking and basic messaging. That said, we’re fully aware that the pricing displayed below doesn’t ‘translate’ easily to actual usage, and would encourage you to call / email us to discuss your requirements, so we can quote for your airtime individually.

      Annual Plans
      Pay-As-You-Go Plans - Line Rental
      Pay-As-You-Go Plans - Running Costs

      Satellite airtime isn’t cheap, and we pride ourselves on delivering great value for our customers. So, rather than having a small number of plans that will either see you rack up expensive overage fees, or pay for data you don’t use, we tailor our plans to every customer. These are example plans only; let us know what your data requirements are and we’ll make a plan that suits you.

      Also, please note that our annual plans are available for any SBD device; our Pay-As-You-Go plans are exclusive to Ground Control manufactured devices.

      Example Plan:
      Low Usage
      Mid Usage
      High Usage
      Price Per Month (USD):
      $15.00
      $35.00
      $140.00
      Inclusive Data:
      5,000 bytes
      25,000 bytes
      250,000 bytes
      Overage Rate:
      $3.00 per 1,000 bytes
      $1.60 per 1,000 bytes
      $0.75 per 1,000 bytes
      Activation Fee:
      $25.00
      $30.00
      $25.00
      SKU:
      GC-SBD-5KB-1
      GC-SBD-25KB-1
      GC-SBD-250KB-1

      Our pay-as-you-go plans offer great flexibility for development purposes, and are available for the RockBLOCK 9602 and RockBLOCK 9603 plug-and-play satellite transceivers, the RockSTAR personal tracking device, RockFLEET vehicle tracking device, and the RockAIR aircraft tracking device.

      Line rental allows the SBD device to exchange information with the Iridium satellite network. Credits are used each time you transmit.

      Device:
      RockBLOCK 9602, 9603, Plus
      RockSTAR
      RockFLEET, RockAIR
      Price Per Month (USD):
      $17.00
      $23.00
      $23.00
      Hybrid Satellite / Cellular Service:
      n/a
      n/a
      + $13.00 per month

      Line rental allows the SBD device to exchange information with the Iridium satellite network. Credits are used each time you transmit. One credit is used per 50 bytes (or part thereof) of message sent or received. One credit is also used if you check your mailbox and there are no messages waiting (a mailbox check).

      Be sure to check out our SBD Pricing page for full details of our Pay-As-You-Go service plans.

      Bundle:
      50 Credits
      100 Credits
      1,000 Credits
      10,000 Credits
      Per Credit (USD):
      $0.20
      $0.19
      $0.12
      $0.08
      Bundle Price (USD):
      $10.00
      $19.00
      $124.00
      $825.00

      Benefits of Iridium Short Burst Data Service

      We're SBD experts, having designed and manufactured IoT and tracking devices leveraging this service for well over a decade. If your data volumes are low, and you can optimize your transmissions, this is the most cost-effective way to transmit your data.
      Any Questions? We're Here to Help

      Flexible Connectivity Solutions

      Our SBD products are ideal for remote weather stations, ocean drifters and buoys, monitoring of oil pipelines, controlling and reporting on equipment in the middle of nowhere. For basic telemetry and command/control applications where mobile signals don’t go – they’re ideal.

      Truly Global Coverage + Low Latency

      Iridium has 66 satellites in orbit around the Earth, allowing coverage anywhere on Earth 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No other satellite network has truly global coverage. Messages sent via Iridium take just seconds to reach you, via e-mail or directly to your web-service.

      Cloudloop Platform and Applications

      All our devices are provided with access to our web-based monitoring and management system, Cloudloop. which simplifies your data, device and subscription management. If you have your own management system, and want to integrate data from our products, that's OK.

      Customized Airtime Service Plans

      Satellite airtime is more expensive than cellular - most of the time! - but we make it affordable. We have great prices, and we also tailor all of our airtime plans to our customers' requirements, so you only pay for the data you use, and avoid expensive overage fees.

      Vessel Tracking Case Studies

      Documentation

      RockFLEET Data Sheet
      RockSTAR Data Sheet
      Iridium SBD Brochure

      Useful Links

      Short Burst Data (SBD) Airtime Rates
      Iridium Coverage Map
      Cloudloop – Manage Your Satellite Airtime Online
      Developer Documentation for RockFLEET and RockSTAR

      Need help finding the right product?

      That's what we're here for. With offices in the US and UK, and over 20 years' experience delivering satellite and cellular connectivity, we can help you make the right choice for your requirements and budget.

      Email or call us, or complete the form, and we'll provide objective, expert advice.
      Get in touch

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