> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.datadocked.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get Vessels by Area

> Find all vessels within a specified circular area. Based on terrestrial AIS data only. Costs 10 credits per request. Rate limit: 50 requests/min.

Find all vessels within a specified circular geographic area.

<Info>
  **Credits:** 10 credits per request
</Info>

## Parameters

Define a circular search area using:

* `latitude`: Center point latitude (up to 1 decimal place)
* `longitude`: Center point longitude (up to 1 decimal place)
* `circle_radius`: Search radius in kilometers (maximum 50km)

## Example

Search for vessels within 50km of coordinates 45.0, -9.0:

```
?latitude=45.0&longitude=-9.0&circle_radius=50
```

<Warning>
  This endpoint currently uses **terrestrial AIS data only**. Satellite AIS coverage will be added in a future update.
</Warning>

## Response

Returns a `vessels` array. Each entry contains:

* `mmsi` — Maritime Mobile Service Identity
* `name` — Vessel name
* `latitude`, `longitude` — Current position
* `speed` — Speed over ground
* `course` — Course over ground (nullable)
* `heading` — Heading (nullable)
* `typeSpecific` — Specific vessel type (e.g. `Bulk Carrier`, `Container Ship`)


## OpenAPI

````yaml GET /get-vessels-by-area
openapi: 3.1.0
info:
  title: Data Docked Maritime API
  description: >-
    A comprehensive maritime data API providing real-time vessel tracking, port
    operations, inspection data, and more. Access AIS data, vessel particulars,
    management information, and historical tracking data.
  version: 1.0.0
  contact:
    name: Data Docked Support
    url: https://datadocked.com/contact
servers:
  - url: https://datadocked.com/api/vessels_operations
    description: Production server
security:
  - apiKey: []
tags:
  - name: Account
    description: Account management endpoints
  - name: Vessel Operations
    description: Vessel data, location, and tracking endpoints
  - name: Port Operations
    description: Port calls and port data endpoints
paths:
  /get-vessels-by-area:
    get:
      tags:
        - Vessel Operations
      summary: Get Vessels by Area
      description: >-
        Find all vessels within a specified circular area. Based on terrestrial
        AIS data only. Costs 10 credits per request. Rate limit: 50
        requests/min.
      operationId: getVesselsByArea
      parameters:
        - name: latitude
          in: query
          required: true
          description: >-
            The center latitude coordinate for the search area (up to 1 decimal
            place).
          schema:
            type: number
            format: float
          example: 45
        - name: longitude
          in: query
          required: true
          description: >-
            The center longitude coordinate for the search area (up to 1 decimal
            place).
          schema:
            type: number
            format: float
          example: -9
        - name: circle_radius
          in: query
          required: true
          description: The search radius in kilometers (maximum 50km).
          schema:
            type: integer
            maximum: 50
          example: 50
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Successful response with vessels in area
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/VesselsByAreaResponse'
              example:
                vessels:
                  - mmsi: '268264001'
                    name: TQ SAMSUN
                    latitude: '44.988842'
                    longitude: '-8.8166847'
                    speed: '81'
                    course: '202'
                    heading: null
                    typeSpecific: Bulk Carrier
        '400':
          description: Bad request - Invalid coordinates or radius
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error'
        '401':
          description: Unauthorized - Invalid or missing API key
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error'
components:
  schemas:
    VesselsByAreaResponse:
      type: object
      properties:
        vessels:
          type: array
          items:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/VesselInArea'
    Error:
      type: object
      properties:
        error:
          type: string
          description: Error type
        message:
          type: string
          description: Error message
    VesselInArea:
      type: object
      properties:
        mmsi:
          type: string
        name:
          type: string
        latitude:
          type: string
        longitude:
          type: string
        speed:
          type: string
        course:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        heading:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        typeSpecific:
          type: string
          description: >-
            Specific vessel type (e.g. Bulk Carrier, Fishing vessel, Patrol
            Vessel)
  securitySchemes:
    apiKey:
      type: apiKey
      in: header
      name: x-api-key
      description: >-
        Your personal API key found in your profile dashboard at
        https://datadocked.com/dashboard/my_keys

````