🛰️ How Geofencing Works for Rental Watercraft with Marine Vision by Rastrac

Geofencing for rental watercraft is transforming the way marinas and rental operators manage safety, compliance, and asset protection. With Marine Vision by Rastrac, operators can create precise virtual boundaries, monitor vessel activity in real time, and automate alerts or actions that protect both their assets and their customers.

🌊 What Is Geofencing for Rental Watercraft?

Geofencing works by combining GPS tracking technology with specialized fleet management software to create virtual boundaries on the water. When a watercraft equipped with a GPS tracker crosses one of these invisible perimeters, the system automatically triggers predefined actions such as sending alerts or logging the event for review.

With Marine Vision by Rastrac, these boundaries are fully customizable — allowing operators to tailor geofences to their unique rental areas, no-wake zones, or restricted waters.

⚙️ How the System Works

1. Defining Geofence Boundaries

Using the Marine Vision by Rastrac dashboard, operators can easily draw geofences on a digital map around:

• Authorized operating zones

• “No-wake” areas

• Restricted or prohibited locations such as shipping lanes, marine sanctuaries, or shallow waters

These perimeters can be circular, polygonal, or corridor-shaped, defined by precise GPS coordinates.

2. Tracking the Watercraft

Each rental watercraft —whether a jet ski, pontoon, or powerboat — is equipped with a GPS tracking device. This device continuously receives satellite signals to determine the vessel’s:

• Real-time location

• Speed

• Direction of travel

• Operating status

The tracker then transmits this data to Marine Vision by Rastrac, where operators can monitor every vessel from a single, centralized platform.

3. Triggering Actions When a Boundary Is Crossed

Once a geofence is defined, Marine Vision by Rastrac constantly compares vessel positions with those boundaries.
If a watercraft crosses one, the system can instantly:

• ⚠️ Instant Notifications: Operators receive immediate SMS, email, or in-app alerts about the breach.

• 🔈 Audible Alerts: The renter may hear a buzzer or see an in-app message indicating they’ve left the permitted area.

• 🔒 Engine Immobilization: For serious violations or theft prevention, the engine can be safely disabled remotely.

📋 What Information Is Logged During a Geofence Event?

Every geofence interaction is recorded automatically within Marine Vision by Rastrac for full traceability and reporting. Key data logged includes:

• Event type (entry, exit, or boundary breach)

• Timestamp and exact GPS coordinates

• Watercraft ID and renter info

• Duration of the event

• Speed and heading during the incident

• Alerts sent or automated actions triggered

This information provides valuable insights for safety audits, compliance, maintenance planning, and insurance documentation.

🌐 Examples of Geofenced Areas for Rental Watercraft

Rental operations can use Marine Vision by Rastrac to set up geofences for:

• ✅ Authorized Operating Zones: Define safe areas within range of the rental base.

• 🚫 Restricted Areas: Prevent entry into shipping lanes, marine sanctuaries, or private waters.

• 🕊️ No-Wake Zones: Automatically enforce local speed limits near marinas or docks.

• 🔐 Theft Prevention Zones: Detect after-hours movement with geofences around docks and storage areas.

• 📏 Distance-from-Shore Boundaries: Maintain regulatory distances from beaches or swim areas.

Create a perimeter around the marina or dock to detect any unauthorized movement after hours.

⚓ Benefits of Geofencing for Rental Operations

1. Enhanced Safety

Keep renters within safe waters and away from hazards such as underwater debris, sandbars, reefs, shallow shoals, and heavy traffic zones.

2. Asset Protection & Theft Prevention

Receive instant alerts about unauthorized movement and track stolen assets in real-time.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Automatically enforce local boating laws like “no-wake” zones to avoid fines or liability.

4. Operational Efficiency

Monitor all vessels on a single dashboard, optimize maintenance schedules, and improve fleet turnaround times.

Geofencing for watercraft

🚤 Why Choose Marine Vision by Rastrac?

Marine Vision by Rastrac is a comprehensive marine fleet management platform designed for rental operators, marinas, and commercial watercraft businesses. Its geofencing capabilities go beyond simple alerts — providing real-time data, safety enforcement, and powerful reporting tools that help operators run more efficiently and profitably.

With Marine Vision, you can:

• Create and customize multiple geofence types

• Automate safety responses

• Monitor all vessels in real time

• Analyze fleet performance through data-driven reports

Ready to turn your data into results?
📞 Contact our team today or visit Rastrac Marine Vision to learn how we can help you make the most of your marine assets.