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Sharing Views on Starboard

Mark Douglas avatar
Written by Mark Douglas
Updated this week

Starboard enables rapid, flexible sharing of maritime information across teams, departments, and partner organisations — while preserving control over sensitive data. By using shared URLs, users can create and distribute tailored views that reflect specific vessels, areas of interest, or analysis timeframes.

These shared URLs can streamline collaboration, simplify analyst workflows, and support consistent monitoring of key areas or vessels.

The Starboard URL Structure

Here’s an example of a typical Starboard URL:

This particular link opens the New Zealand EEZ, with two vessels selected and one of them (MMSI 219382000) focused.

Key URL Parameters

You can modify parts of the Starboard URL to create custom views for specific locations, vessels, or timeframes:

  • aoi=32

    • Sets the Area of Interest (AOI). For example, 32 refers to the New Zealand EEZ. To find out the number of the AOI you are using, open your view in Starboard, then check the aoi= value in the URL.

  • center=%5B-41.34382458118569%2C174.990234375%5D

    • Defines the map’s center using decimal latitude and longitude.

  • zoom=5

    • Sets the zoom level. Lower numbers zoom out; higher numbers zoom in.

  • selectedStartTs=1747872000

    • Start time in Unix format (seconds since 01 January 1970)

  • selectedEndTs=1748131199

    • End time in Unix format.

  • scrubberTime=1748100000

    • Point in time within the selected range to display data for.

  • ids=%5B636024312%2C219382000%5D

    • MMSI numbers of vessels selected in the view.

  • focusedId=219382000

    • The vessel that is currently focused on.

  • onlySelected=true

    • Restricts display to only the selected vessels.

Starboard URLs may include additional parameters for filters, tags, panel views, or layer settings. If you have a specific requirement, contact the Starboard team for help creating advanced custom views.


Examples of Custom Views

Single Vessel Selection

This link selects and focuses on the vessel with MMSI 219382000 (e.g., MAERSK CYPRUS) with a time range from 22 to 24 May 2025.

Note: The map’s centre and zoom will default to your last view, but clicking on the vessel in the side panel will re-centre the map to its position.

Area of Interest

This link shows all vessels currently inside the New Zealand EEZ:

Note: The length of the map's time range will default to your last view


Saving Custom URLs as Bookmarks

If you’ve configured a Starboard view that you regularly return to — such as a specific Area of Interest, vessel, or analysis timeframe — you can save it in your browser for quick access.

Why bookmark?

  • Jump straight to a commonly used view

  • Maintain consistent analysis setups

  • Avoid needing to reapply filters each time

How to save a Starboard URL as a bookmark:

In Chrome (or most modern browsers):

  1. Set up your view in Starboard (e.g., select vessels, AOI, zoom level, filters).

  2. Click the star icon in the address bar, or press Ctrl+D (Windows) / Cmd+D (Mac).

  3. Name your bookmark (e.g., NZ EEZ – Suspicious Activity View).

  4. Choose a folder (e.g., create one called Starboard Views).

  5. Click Done.

Ensuring the View Always Shows the Latest Data

By default, Starboard URLs include a fixed time range. If you want your bookmarked view to always load the most recent vessel data, you’ll need to remove the time-related parameters.

To remove time references from a saved bookmark:

  1. Open your browser’s Bookmark Manager (e.g., chrome://bookmarks/ in Chrome).

  2. Right-click your Starboard bookmark and select Edit.

  3. In the URL field, remove any of the following parameters (if present):

    • &selectedStartTs=... → Start of time range

    • &selectedEndTs=... → End of time range

    • &scrubberTime=... → Specific point in time

  4. Click Save.

When you open the edited bookmark, Starboard will load:

  • The most recent data available,

  • The same vessels, filters, and map position you originally saved,

  • Without locking the view to a specific date range.

This is ideal for live monitoring setups, shift handovers, or ongoing patrol areas.


Secure Sharing

While sharing URLs can be powerful, be cautious about distributing links externally. Starboard URLs may include sensitive details such as:

  • Areas of Interest

  • Vessel selections

  • Timeframes

  • Analysis configurations

To enable safer collaboration, Starboard includes a “Share link” feature designed for secure, controlled distribution of views.

With Share link, you can:

  • Generate a shortened URL for easy sharing

  • Set the link to expire after 1 or 7 days

  • Restrict access to users within the same group that created the link

This provides a more secure and manageable way to share situational awareness without exposing operational details to unintended audiences.

To create a Share Link in Starboard:

  1. Set up your view (select vessels, time range, AOI, zoom level, etc.)

  2. Click the "Share Link button at the top right of the screen.

  3. Choose your settings:

    • Expiry: 1 day / 7 days

    • Access restriction: Same group only or public to all Starboard users

  4. Click "Generate link"

  5. Copy the generated link and send it to your team or partner organisation.

Before sending a Share Link, you may want to open it in a private/incognito browser window. This lets you preview what others will see — useful for verifying selected vessels, timeframe, and visibility settings.

Summary

Starboard provides flexible tools for creating, saving, and securely sharing customised views of maritime activity. Whether you’re setting up daily patrol zones, tracking specific vessels, or coordinating across teams, shared URLs and bookmarks allow you to return to consistent, filter-rich views without having to reconfigure the platform each time.

For added control, secure Share Links allow users to distribute views with optional expiry dates and group-based access, supporting collaboration while maintaining confidentiality. By combining custom URLs with secure sharing options, users can streamline their workflows, strengthen coordination, and ensure that maritime insights are shared with the right people — at the right time.

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