The definition of a peninsula goes something like this: “a piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water”.

The Cape Peninsula is, of course, a prime example of this, and offers a few of its inhabitants a prime view of what’s happening on the ocean’s surface.

However, every so often, one is left bamboozled by the shining lights seen on the horizon – just what exactly are we looking at?

Is it a drillship, a cargo vessel, or one of those superyachts that sail past our shores pretty often with their billionaire owners on board?

If you have not yet found yourself mesmerised by the Marine Traffic app, it will only increase your love affair with the ocean that surrounds us.

With a database of more than 550 000 active and decommissioned vessels around the globe, you can access ship positions and AIS data. I mean, just take a look at what is happening in the world right now:

Of course, it gets so much better. Take a look at the Atlantic Seaboard from this morning:

Where things get really interesting, however, is when you select a vessel that has caught your attention. A small information tab pops up:

From here, you can go into the boat’s profile and scope all logged information – such as the journey its currently, a cute profile picture and even the country from which it originates.

In other words, all the fun:

Other than stalking the ships that pass you by, what else are you going to do with such information? Some have used the app to discover just who it is taking all our fish from the Transkei coastline.

Others have even used it to track their cargo travelling from one port to another – and if you use global freight logistics company, Berry & Donaldson, leisurely watching your goods take to the seas is the extent of your worries.

From purchase through to delivery, Berry & Donaldson does it all. Everything. The works.

And you? Just open your app and creep on the boats that pass us by.

It’s the good life.