There are portable AIS systems that will work with a IPad at very reasonable cost.
The Marine Traffic app is a great option for viewing vessels with AIS send capabilities. There are some $$ features available but the basic app is free.
True, but I am not sure I want to be pulling up much stuff on my iPad in a heavy squall! Already running on the chartplotter is so much handier!
Peter s/y Time Will Tell (2019 Lagoon 42) peter@syTimeWillTell.com