Starlink Maritime: plans and coverage for fishing vessels
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Starlink Maritime is a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service designed for vessels operating at sea, delivering 50–220 Mbps download speeds and 25–60 ms latency across open ocean. Unlike geostationary VSAT systems with latencies above 600 ms, the LEO constellation — over 6,000 satellites (operator's figure, 09/2026) — enables real-time data transmission — sufficient to run VMS compliance, digital catch logbooks, crew communications, and advanced weather routing simultaneously from a single connection.
Operator's catalogue as of September 2026
The operator separates the antenna from the plan. Antennas: Mini (portable; no underway support on the water), the standard kit (allowed in motion, lower performance) and the Flat High Performance, the one it recommends for permanent outdoor installation and use under way: 110–150 W in use and 45 W idle, 5.9 kg without cable, rated for winds of 280 km/h or more, IP56 (operator's data sheet, 09/2026). Plans: the personal ones — Roam and, since 27/08/2026, Personal Maritime, for leisure craft up to 60 ft, with unlimited data inside 12 miles and per-GB data beyond ("Ocean Mode", new terms from 27/09/2026) — exclude commercially operated vessels, fishing included. Professional fleets sign priority plans, regional or global, with offshore data within the plan's scope. Exact names and terms go in the proposal; tariffs we don't publish.
| Antenna | Power draw (spec sheet) | Vessel | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | 25–40 W | Stopped — port, at anchor, or as a backup | Personal (non-commercial) |
| Standard kit | 40–75 W | Day trips at low speed, where the operator allows it under your flag | Priority |
| Flat High Performance | 110–150 W | Any vessel fishing under way; offshore and distant-water | Regional or global priority |
Operator's spec sheet and catalogue as of 09/2026; subject to change without notice. Terms for your flag state are confirmed during the fleet analysis. We don't publish tariffs.
For the detail by vessel type — offshore, inshore, aquaculture — and installation at your port, continue with Starlink for fishing vessels. For a further breakdown of the catalogue, see our Starlink Maritime antenna comparison for 2026.
Starlink Maritime Coverage at Sea
Starlink Maritime provides continuous coverage from 70° N to 70° S according to the operator — a range that encompasses virtually all commercially significant fishing grounds on the planet. Coverage is satellite-based and operates independently of distance from the coast: a vessel 1,500 nautical miles offshore receives the same service quality as one 10 miles from port, assuming clear sky conditions.
The main fishing grounds used by European and international commercial fleets are fully covered. In the North Atlantic, this includes the entire Grand Banks area off Newfoundland, the Flemish Cap, the Faroe Plateau, the Norwegian Sea, and the Northeast Atlantic shelf from the Bay of Biscay to Iceland. The Northwest African shelf — including CECAF zones where Spanish, Moroccan, and Senegalese fleets operate — is within coverage. The South Atlantic, including Falkland Islands/Malvinas waters and South Georgia (~54–56° S), is within coverage; below that, we verify with the operator before contracting. The Indian Ocean (Mozambique Channel, Seychelles EEZ, Maldivian waters) and the Pacific (from Chilean and Peruvian waters north to Bering Sea grounds) are all within operational coverage.
One practical caveat: Starlink Maritime coverage is validated for ocean operation, but service in ports and anchorages within certain national jurisdictions may require local regulatory approval. A small number of countries have not yet authorised Starlink service in their territorial waters (12 nautical miles). PescaSat advises on jurisdiction-specific coverage before installation for any fleet with specific flag state or operating-area requirements.
For vessel owners and skippers evaluating connectivity on specific grounds, see our deep-sea fishing connectivity guide covering the North Atlantic, sub-Antarctic, and Indian Ocean.
Installing a Low-Earth-Orbit Link on a Professional Fishing Vessel
Professional fishing vessel installation differs from recreational or yachting installation in three key areas: vibration tolerance, power system integration, and regulatory system compatibility. Commercial fishing vessels generate sustained mechanical vibration from engine rooms, net haulers, and winch systems that can affect antenna alignment and cable integrity over time. Flat High Performance and Standard Maritime terminals require mounting on vibration-dampened surfaces or with anti-vibration brackets rated for commercial marine use — a standard specification that recreational kits do not always include.
Power draw is a relevant consideration on working vessels. The Flat High Performance terminal draws 110–150 W in use and about 45 W idle (operator's data sheet), which must be factored into the vessel's DC/AC power budget alongside existing navigation electronics, VMS transponders, and deck equipment. Integration with existing VMS and ERS (Electronic Reporting System) equipment requires routing the low-earth-orbit link through the vessel's network in a way that prioritises VMS traffic and maintains compliance reporting uptime even under high concurrent use.
A full technical installation guide covering anti-vibration mounts, cable routing, electrical integration, and VMS/ERS configuration is available: Starlink installation on a deep-sea fishing vessel — technical guide.
Is Starlink Maritime the Right Fit for Your Fleet?
The answer depends on three variables: where you fish, how long your trips are, and what systems you currently run. Coastal and inshore vessels making day trips within 50 miles of port — smaller gillnetters, lobster boats, inshore trawlers — will typically find the Mini or Standard tier sufficient to handle VMS transmission, weather data, and crew messaging without overspecifying hardware. These vessels see the clearest cost advantage compared to legacy satellite phone contracts, where per-minute charges and data caps have historically made real-time fleet management impractical.
For the detail by fishing vessel type — offshore, inshore, trawling, aquaculture — continue with Starlink for fishing vessels.
Offshore and deep-sea vessels — stern trawlers, longliners, purse seiners operating in the North Atlantic, West African shelf, or southern oceans — are where the Flat High Performance terminal delivers the clearest operational return. Trips of 10–30 days with crews of 10–25 people require simultaneous connectivity across VMS, catch reporting, weather routing, engine telemetry, and crew welfare. Legacy VSAT systems on these vessels carry latency above 600 ms and monthly fees well above a low-earth-orbit link; the Flat High Performance plan delivers superior throughput and latency for considerably less.
If your fleet operates in more than one of these categories, a vessel-by-vessel analysis is the most accurate way to determine which plan fits each hull. PescaSat's free fleet analysis covers exactly that — no commitment required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Starlink Maritime differ from residential Starlink?
Starlink Maritime is a hardware and service tier specifically designed for vessels at sea. The terminal uses a flat, motorised antenna engineered for continuous operation on a moving platform, with an IP56 weather rating and a wider field of view than the standard residential dish. The service plan includes global ocean coverage, whereas residential Starlink is licensed for fixed land addresses only and cannot be legally used at sea. On recurring plans, it can also be paused for whole months — closed season, refit — against an annual allowance of days.
Can Starlink Maritime be used in all countries' EEZs?
Coverage extends across all major ocean basins from 70° N to 70° S according to the operator, but legal authorisation to operate within a country's Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nautical miles) depends on that country's spectrum licensing decisions. Most open-ocean fishing grounds fall under international waters where no national licence is required. We check it ground by ground before contracting.
What happens to VMS compliance when using Starlink?
Starlink does not replace the VMS transponder — it provides the internet connection over which VMS data is transmitted. In most EU-approved VMS configurations, the existing transponder continues to operate and uses the low-earth-orbit link as its data link. This typically improves VMS reporting reliability compared to legacy satellite links. During installation, network routing is configured to ensure VMS traffic is prioritised and uninterrupted, in line with the requirements of the relevant flag state authority.
How long does installation take on a commercial fishing vessel?
A standard installation on a fishing vessel of 15–35 m takes one working day, typically 6–8 hours. This includes antenna mounting with marine-grade hardware, cable routing, power supply connection, router configuration, and integration with existing onboard network equipment. Vessels with complex VMS or ERS integration requirements may require a second day for testing and compliance verification.
Does Starlink Maritime work during severe weather at sea?
The Flat High Performance terminal is rated by the operator for winds of 280 km/h (roughly 150 knots) or more. Rain fade is significantly less pronounced on Starlink's Ku/Ka bands than on C-band VSAT systems. In practice, connectivity is maintained through all but the most intense squalls, where brief drop-outs can happen.
Can the Starlink terminal be moved between vessels?
The hardware can be physically moved, but the service account is registered to a specific vessel under Starlink's maritime terms. Moving the terminal to a different vessel requires updating the account registration, which SpaceX permits under its maritime service agreement. For fleets with seasonal or irregular vessel deployment, PescaSat can advise on account structures that allow flexible terminal reallocation across the fleet without penalty.
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Installation and technical support are carried out by a certified naval communications integrator, coordinated by us from start to finish.