Nearest Light is a navigation utility for U.S. boaters that displays Coast Guard Light List data and maritime safety notices on iOS.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Mariners use the app to access localized navigation aid details without manually parsing weekly Coast Guard reports, removing the time cost of manual data verification.
For Mariners and boaters operating in U.S. waters who require supplemental information on aids to navigation.
What does it look like?
Key features
Downloads and displays weekly USCG Light List data for specific districts including buoys and lights.
Displays relevant maritime safety notices alongside light data for specific geographic areas.
Filters navigation aids based on user-defined geographic boundaries.
How much does it cost?
Nearest Light is distributed as a free utility with no visible monetization or subscription tiers.
Velocity
Dormant developmentUX improvementsShow more...
Nearest Light has been inactive for 1,543 days, placing it firmly in the zombie category. The development history shows no updates or maintenance activity for over four years. Given the lack of recent releases, there is no evidence of ongoing support or feature development.
Who built it?
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
Not enough recent reviews to extract reliable themes yet.
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Nearest Light
How's the Navigation market?
Nearest Light occupies a narrow niche in the Navigation category as a free, specialized utility for U.S. maritime data. The lack of updates since 2022 limits its competitive standing against modern, frequently maintained navigation tools.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
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Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Nearest Light
Where is it heading?
Users report: The maritime navigation utility market is shifting toward integrated, real-time chart plotters that offer more than static Light List data. Nearest Light remains exposed due to its lack of recent updates, which will likely lead to data inaccuracies as the Coast Guard updates its digital reporting standards.
- The 42-month update gap suggests the app is in maintenance mode, which increases the risk of failure as maritime data formats evolve.
The SWOT
- Direct integration with weekly U.S. Coast Guard Light List data
- Area of Interest filtering reduces cognitive load for localized navigation
- Implement push-notifications for Local Notice for Mariners to provide real-time safety alerts
Next best moves
Audit NAVCEN data integration because the app has not been updated in 42 months → ensure continued data accuracy
The counter-intuitive read
The lack of monetization is not a weakness…
Read the full takeSince the last report: The app remains in a state of total development dormancy, with no functional or pricing changes observed. The primary shift is a more granular articulation of the technical risks posed by the 42-month update gap.
Bottom line
Nearest Light serves a specific maritime need, but the multi-year development gap threatens its utility as a reliable safety aid. A maintenance-mode posture risks data obsolescence, which is the primary failure point for any navigation tool.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Nearest Light a replacement for official nautical charts?
Does Nearest Light work offline?
Is Nearest Light free to use?
Sources
- [1] App Store, source
Report last updated