Communications: What would Elon Musk take on a long voyage? Starlink launches new sailing plan with a 40-foot limit

As recently as 20 August, YACHT reported on the discontinuation of Global Roam and the new restrictions on Roam Unlimited. Anyone travelling outside their registered home country or region for longer than 30 days can no longer use this tariff on a permanent basis. This was a particular problem for long-distance sailors. Now Starlink appears to be responding with a special offer for small private boats.

The tariff is called Personal Maritime and, according to the information available so far, costs 185 US dollars per month, plus any applicable taxes. It is said to include unlimited data in territorial waters worldwide. This generally refers to the zone up to twelve nautical miles off the coast. The 30-day rule for stays abroad, which applies to the Roam tariff, is not expected to apply to the Personal Maritime tariff.

For small private boats only

This concession has a clearly defined limit: according to the published terms and conditions, Personal Maritime is intended for private, non-commercial watercraft. Boats with an overall length of more than 40 feet are excluded. Commercial, business or entrepreneurial use, as well as use on land, is also not permitted.

This creates a new problem. Many typical cruising yachts designed for long voyages are between 40 and 50 feet in length. For their owners, the new tariff does not address the consequences of the recent changes. The limit is based not on actual usage, the size of the crew or data requirements, but solely on the length of the boat.

According to reports following the launch, Starlink is asking prospective customers to provide details of their boat, its flag, length and registration. This suggests that, initially, the tariff cannot simply be selected via the standard booking page. On the German overview of Starlink service tariffs As at 31 August, ‘Personal Maritime’ was not yet listed as a standard fare available for booking.

Cheap near the coast, expensive on the high seas

For coastal sailors and long-distance crews who spend extended periods travelling between countries, this arrangement is generally relevant. Within territorial waters, the connection can continue without the need to return to the home country, as was previously the case. This fits the use case for which Starlink Roam is currently only of limited suitability.

However, as soon as the yacht is more than twelve nautical miles off the coast, Ocean Mode kicks in. From 27 September, this will cost six US dollars per gigabyte. Previously, the price had been quoted as two US dollars per gigabyte. The cost will therefore triple.

This has significant practical implications. Downloading a GRIB file or exchanging emails has hardly any impact. Software updates, video calls, backing up photos or streaming, on the other hand, can quickly drive up an Ocean Mode bill. Anyone who activates this mode will, according to the published terms and conditions, be charged the data rate for their entire usage until Ocean Mode is deactivated again. It is precisely this restriction that makes the tariff significantly less attractive for an Atlantic crossing or longer voyages away from the coast.

A comparison of the new tariff

Who stands to benefit from Personal Maritime

For a private owner of a 35-foot yacht who spends several months sailing along the European coast, in the Caribbean or in other waters outside their home country, Personal Maritime fills an important gap. The monthly fee is significantly lower than the Priority tariffs previously recommended for worldwide use. At the same time, it is more than a standard roaming tariff.

For larger cruising yachts and offshore sailors, however, the situation remains unsatisfactory. Anyone who regularly sails outside the 12-nautical-mile zone should plan their data usage very carefully. A summary of Starlink plans, hardware and on-board costs to date It therefore remains just as important as the decision regarding the aerial, power supply and backup communications.

Even the Starlink service on board is no substitute for emergency communications. YACHT explains which alternatives, apart from satellite internet, remain viable in its article on Iridium, Starlink and Inmarsat as on-board communication systems. For everyday use in anchorages, the Practical test of internet on board further findings regarding reception and power consumption.

Book recommendation

A Brief Guide to Blue-Water Sailing This section looks at planning a long-distance voyage from the perspective of everyday life on board. As well as the boat, rigging and equipment, it also covers energy management, communication, navigation, safety and costs. This broader perspective is particularly helpful when choosing a satellite internet package: it is not just the monthly price that matters, but also how data usage, power consumption and alternative communication methods fit together during long legs of the voyage.

What do you make of the new Starlink tariff: is it a fair solution for smaller cruising yachts, or does it set limits that are too restrictive for the realities of long-distance sailing?