Starlink Personal Maritime Plan: Complete Guide for Boaters
The complete guide to Starlink Personal Maritime, including who qualifies, coastal vs. ocean data costs, international roaming rules, and how to switch plans.
By WAKETRACE Team · · Tech & Systems
Satellite internet has transformed modern cruising, but navigating service plans, roaming restrictions, and offshore costs can be a challenge. Enter the new Starlink Personal Maritime Plan.
Bridging the gap between land-based roaming packages and expensive commercial vessel subscriptions, this specialized service plan is tailored specifically for private, recreational watercraft. Understanding how the Personal Maritime Plan functions allows you to make a more informed decision about how to manage your internet aboard.
What is the Starlink Personal Maritime plan?
The Starlink Personal Maritime plan is a specialized Starlink subscription providing unlimited coastal data for personal vessels under 60 feet. Priced at $185 USD per month, the plan provides unlimited standard data within territorial waters. For offshore ocean passages beyond this 12-mile boundary, boaters can opt into Ocean Mode.
| Feature | Personal Maritime Specification |
|---|---|
| Monthly Base Cost | $185 USD per month |
| Coastal Data (within 12 NM) | Unlimited high-speed data |
| Ocean Data (beyond 12 NM) | $6 USD per gigabyte (requires Ocean Mode opt-in) |
| Vessel Length Limit | Maximum 60 feet (LOA) |
| Use on Land | Prohibited |
| Foreign Stay Time Limits | None (unless required by local law) |
For a detailed video breakdown, sailing YouTubers Travel Sketch have shared this accurate video.
Who qualifies for the Personal Maritime plan
Eligibility for the Personal Maritime plan is strictly limited to private, recreational watercraft with a length overall (LOA) of 60 feet (18.3 meters) or less. Vessels exceeding 60 feet in length, commercial fishing boats, charter yachts, and business operations are prohibited from using this plan. Additionally, this service plan is strictly barred from land use, meaning boat owners cannot take the terminal home or use it in an RV.
Where Personal Maritime works
The base Personal Maritime subscription works in coastal waters without the strict time limits found in the Roam Unlimited plan. Standard Roam subscriptions typically cut off service after two consecutive months in a foreign country, but the Personal Maritime plan removes these international stay limits unless local laws dictate otherwise.
When a vessel travels beyond the 12-nautical-mile coastal boundary into international waters, connectivity pauses unless the user has opted into Ocean Mode. Once Ocean Mode is toggled on, all data consumed is billed at an additional $6 per GB until the user manually turns it off, regardless of whether the vessel moves back inside territorial waters.
How to apply and switch to the Personal Maritime plan
For the time being, enrolling in the Personal Maritime plan requires submitting an official customer support ticket. You can not simply click a button in the mobile app to switch plans instantly, and once an account is approved and moved to Personal Maritime, all future plan adjustments must also be handled directly through a customer support agent.
To apply, boaters must open a support ticket through their account portal and provide the following information:
- Vessel name: The registered name of the boat
- Flag state: The country where the vessel is officially registered
- Length overall (LOA): The total length of the vessel (must be under 60 feet)
- Registration certificate: A legible digital copy of the boat’s official registration document
- Unique identifier: An official Hull Identification Number (HIN), Craft Identification Number (CIN), MMSI, or ITU Call Sign
If you don't supply all of this information, you won't be approved.
Conclusion
The Starlink Personal Maritime plan provides a solution for international cruisers seeking reliable coastal internet, where their needs are fully within the terms of service. While the $185 monthly fee and $6 per-gigabyte ocean rate require careful data management during long crossings, it remains far cheaper than commercial alternatives.
Are you planning to switch your boat over to the Personal Maritime plan? Share your experiences with other potential users in the comments to help them make a more informed decision.
FAQ about Starlink Personal Maritime
Can a boat owner use this plan while the yacht is hauled out on land?
It's unclear at this time, but Starlink's terms of service explicitly prohibit using the Personal Maritime plan on land.
What happens if a boat sails beyond 12 nautical miles without Ocean Mode turned on?
Data service will simply drop offline once the vessel passes outside territorial waters, and service will resume once the boat re-enters coastal boundaries or the user enables Ocean Mode.
Does Ocean Mode turn off automatically when returning to coastal waters?
No, once Ocean Mode is enabled it remains active until the user manually opts out through their account settings.
Can a charter business use this plan for bareboat charter vessels?
Commercial, charter, or business use of the Personal Maritime service plan is strictly prohibited by Starlink.