Approved vessel tracking units
Commercial fishers must purchase a Fisheries Queensland approved vessel tracking unit.
All units must be:
- purchased from an approved provider
- associated with an approved polling rate and data plan.
You may be able to apply for a rebate for installation costs.
See the vessel tracking installation and maintenance standard for details.
Current units
| Unit | Provider | Rebate category | Fishery |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLS Triton ADV | CLS Oceania | Category B | All fisheries |
| IDP690 | PoleStar | Not eligible | All fisheries |
| IDP800 | PoleStar | Not eligible | All fisheries |
| OrbcommST6100 | PoleStar | Category B | All fisheries |
| RockFLEET | Pivotel PoleStar | Category B | All fisheries |
| Spot Trace | Pivotel | Category A |
Crab fisheries
Net fisheries Beam trawl fishery (river and inshore) |
| Unit and airtime provider | CLS Oceania |
|---|---|
| Satellite provider | Iridium |
| Approved for fishery types | Net, line, crab, trawl and harvest (AFMA approved). |
| Approved reporting rates |
5 minutes for net, line, crab and trawl (T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9). 15 minutes for trawl (T1, T2, T4, M1 and M2) and harvest. |
| Internal power source |
Yes, built in rechargeable battery 3.2Ah. Vessel tracking units must be connected to a reliable external power source at all times when vessel tracking is required to be operating. |
| Line charging | Yes |
| External power source | Yes |
| Line power voltage | 12V to 30V DC |
| Size |
Dome: 201 mm diameter, 125 mm height Junction Box: 180 mm x 129 mm x 59 mm |
| Weight |
Dome: 1.65 kg (3.2 Ah battery) or 2.04 kg (7.0 Ah battery) Junction Box: 0.36 kg |
| Water resistant rating |
Dome: IP67 Junction Box: IP65 |
| Power light | Yes (on Junction Box) |
| Two-way communication | Yes |
| Operating temperature | -25°C to 55°C |
| Self-installation | Technician |
| Can unit be moved between boats? | Yes (Not recommended as unit must be re-registered/re-activated with details of new boat) |
| Other fees and accessories | Contact the provider for up to date pricing and package inclusions. |
| Airtime plan term | 12 months |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| More information | Contact CLS |
| Unit and airtime provider | PoleStar |
|---|---|
| Satellite provider | Inmarsat |
| Approved for fishery types | Net, line, crab, trawl and harvest (AFMA approved). |
| Approved reporting rates |
5 minutes for net, line, crab and trawl (T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9). 15 minutes for trawl (T1, T2, T4, M1 and M2) and harvest. |
| Internal power source | No |
| External power source | Yes |
| Line power voltage | 9V to 32V |
| Size | 101mm x 126mm x 126mm |
| Weight | 460g |
| Water resistant rating | IP67 |
| Power light | No |
| Two-way communication | Yes |
| Operating temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Self-installation | Technician or self-installed if approval granted by provider. |
| Can unit be moved between boats? | Yes |
| Optional accessories | Extra mount and cable |
| Fees | Contact the provider for current pricing and packages. |
| Airtime plan term | 12 months |
| Airtime suspension / standby option | Contact the provider. |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| More information | Contact PoleStar |
| Unit and airtime provider | PoleStar |
|---|---|
| Satellite provider | Inmarsat |
| Approved for fishery types | Net, line, crab, trawl and harvest. |
| Approved reporting rates |
5 minutes for net, line, crab and trawl (T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9). 15 minutes for trawl (T1, T2, T4, M1 and M2) and harvest. |
| Internal power source |
Yes, rechargeable (lithium batteries only). Vessel tracking units must be connected to a reliable external power source at all times when vessel tracking is required to be operating. |
| Line charging | Yes |
| External power source | Yes |
| Line power voltage | 9V to 32V |
| Size | 432mm x 147mm x 25mm |
| Weight | 1300g |
| Water resistant rating | IP67 |
| Power light | No |
| Two-way communication | Yes |
| Operating temperature | -10°C to +50°C |
| Self-installation | Technician or self-installed if approval granted by provider. |
| Can unit be moved between boats? | Yes |
| Optional accessories | 5 metre power cable |
| Fees | Contact the provider for pricing and packages. |
| Airtime plan term | 12 months |
| Airtime suspension / standby option | Contact the provider. |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| More information | Contact PoleStar |
| Unit and airtime provider | PoleStar |
|---|---|
| Satellite provider | Inmarsat |
| Approved for fishery types | Net, line, crab, trawl and harvest (AFMA approved). |
| Approved reporting rates |
5 minutes for net, line, crab and trawl (T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9). 15 minutes for trawl (T1, T2, T4, M1 and M2) and harvest. |
| Internal power source | No |
| External power source | Yes |
| Line power voltage | 9V to 32V |
| Size | 49mm x 126mm x 126mm |
| Weight | 315g |
| Water resistant rating | IP67 |
| Power light | No |
| Two-way communication | Yes |
| Operating temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Self-installation | Technician or self-installed if approval granted by provider. |
| Can unit be moved between boats? | Yes |
| Optional accessories | Extra mount and cable |
| Fees | Contact the provider for pricing and packages. |
| Airtime plan term | 12 months |
| Airtime suspension / standby option | Contact the provider. |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| More information | Contact PoleStar |
| Unit and airtime provider | Pivotel |
|---|---|
| Satellite provider | Iridium |
| Approved for fishery types | Net, line, crab, trawl and harvest. |
| Approved reporting rates |
5 minutes for net, line, crab and trawl (T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9). 15 minutes for trawl (T1, T2, T4, M1 and M2) and harvest. |
| Internal power source |
Yes, rechargeable. Vessel tracking units must be connected to a reliable external power source at all times when vessel tracking is required to be operating. |
| Line charging | Yes |
| External power source | Yes |
| Line power voltage | 9V to 30V |
| Size | 130mm x 50mm |
| Weight | 350g |
| Water resistant rating | IP68 |
| Power light | Yes |
| Two-way communication | Yes |
| Operating temperature | -30°C to +60°C |
| Self-installation | Technician or self-installed if approval granted by provider. |
| Can unit be moved between boats? | Yes |
| Optional accessories |
Deck mount Rail mount |
| Fees | Contact the provider for pricing and packages. |
| Airtime plan term | 3 years |
| Airtime suspension / standby option | Contact the provider. |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| More information | Contact TracerTrak |
| Unit and airtime provider | PoleStar |
|---|---|
| Satellite provider | Iridium |
| Approved for fishery types | Net, line, crab, trawl and harvest. |
| Approved reporting rates |
5 minutes for net, line, crab and trawl (T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9). 15 minutes for trawl (T1, T2, T4, M1 and M2) and harvest. |
| Internal power source |
Yes, rechargeable. Vessel tracking units must be connected to a reliable external power source at all times when vessel tracking is required to be operating. |
| Line charging | Yes |
| External power source | Yes |
| Line power voltage | 9V to 30V |
| Size | 130mm x 50mm |
| Weight | 350g |
| Water resistant rating | IP68 |
| Power light | Yes |
| Two-way communication | Yes |
| Operating temperature | -30°C to +60°C |
| Self-installation | Technician or self-installed if approval granted by provider. |
| Can unit be moved between boats? | Yes |
| Optional accessories |
Deck mount Rail mount |
| Fees | Contact the provider for pricing and packages. |
| Airtime plan term | 3 years |
| Airtime suspension / standby option | Contact the provider. |
| Warranty | Warranty on the unit is 2 years, first year parts and labour; second year labour only. |
| More information | Contact PoleStar |
| Unit and airtime provider | Pivotel |
|---|---|
| Satellite provider | Globalstar |
| Approved for fishery types | Net, crab and trawl (T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9 only). |
| Approved reporting rates | 5 minutes for net, crab and trawl (T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9 only). |
| Internal power source |
Lithium (L92) non-rechargeable batteries or NiMH (NH12) rechargeable batteries. Vessel tracking units must be connected to a reliable external power source at all times when vessel tracking is required to be operating. |
| Line charging | No |
| External power source | Yes |
| Line power voltage | 8V to 22V |
| Size | 68.3mm x 51.3mm x 21.4mm |
| Weight | 90g |
| Water resistant rating | IP67 |
| Power light | Yes |
| Two-way communication | No |
| Operating temperature | -30°C to +60°C |
| Self-installation | Self-installed or technician if preferred. |
| Can unit be moved between boats? | Yes |
| Fees | Contact the provider for current pricing. |
| Included in package |
|
| Airtime plan term | 6 or 12 months |
| Warranty | 12 months with optional extended warranty available. |
| More information | Contact TracerTrak |
Grandfathered units
Grandfathered units are units that have been reviewed and deemed unsuitable for new installations, replacements or transfers between boats.
Grandfathered units that are already installed can be used while still complying with the installation standard.
All Inmarsat-C units, including grandfathered units, will no longer be approved for use from 23 March 2024.
Units grandfathered on 1 January 2021
- Thrane & Thrane 3027
- Furuno Felcom-16
Previously approved for:
- T1: Trawl fishery
- T2: Trawl fishery
- M1: Moreton Bay trawl
- M2: Moreton Bay trawl
- T4: Trawl fishery (fin fish)
- N4: Net fishery
- N12: Net fishery (Gulf of Carpentaria—offshore)
- N13: Net fishery (Gulf of Carpentaria—offshore)
- B1: Sea cucumber (beche-de-mer) fishery
Safety standards
Vessel tracking unit manufacturers and providers must:
- demonstrate that the units and cabling are fit for purpose for a marine environment
- provide certification that demonstrates compliance with relevant international or Australian standards for ingress protection (water and dust), radiocommunications (electromagnetic radiation), temperature and electrical safety
- meet requirements regarding ease of installation, cost-effectiveness and reliability.
Add a unit to the list
Fisheries Queensland periodically assesses additional devices and providers.
For more information:
- read the requirements and complete the form
- email the completed form to vesseltracking@daf.qld.gov.au.
Legislation
For all vessel tracking requirements, refer to:
- Last reviewed: 4 Apr 2024
- Last updated: 5 Apr 2024