diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 50cf113..d64b31b 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -59,10 +59,12 @@ FIRMS_INTERVAL=900
# Set to 0 to disable the fire loop entirely.
INGEST_FIRES=1
-# ── VesselAPI (quota-capped REST AIS poller — free tier 150 calls/mo) ─────
-# AISStream keeps US coasts live; VesselAPI fills the Middle East blind spot.
-# The poller idles when VESSELAPI_API_KEY is unset. Never called from the map
-# pans (GET /api/vessels serves the shared last-known cache only).
+# ── VesselAPI (commercial REST AIS — Hormuz, 5×/day, 150 calls/mo cap) ─────
+# Independent of AISStream (open/shared live US-coast WebSocket). Both stay
+# on when their keys are set; missing one never disables the other.
+# Prefer pasting VESSELAPI_API_KEY on the dashboard Keys page.
+# The poller idles when the key is unset. Never called from map pans
+# (GET /api/vessels serves the shared last-known cache only).
VESSELAPI_API_KEY=
# Bounding box(es) as minlat,minlon,maxlat,maxlon (lat/lon order). Semicolon-
# separated for multiple boxes. Default = Strait of Hormuz (span 3.6 ≤ 4° cap).
diff --git a/app/static/index.html b/app/static/index.html
index 07cfd7f..c5737c3 100644
--- a/app/static/index.html
+++ b/app/static/index.html
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@
0
-
Needs AISSTREAM_API_KEY. Magenta = military · gold = law/gov · teal = underway. Click for type / dest / IMO.
+
Two feeds: AISStream (US live) and VesselAPI (Hormuz, 5×/day). Paste both keys on the Keys page. Magenta = military · gold = law/gov · teal = underway. Click for type / dest / IMO.