AI-powered safety is taking center stage at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show as SEA.AI presents its award-winning Watchkeeper system. The technology promises a new era of awareness at sea, helping boaters detect hazards, people overboard, and even marine life, before it’s too late.
At this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, SEA.AI is putting its smart vision technology in the spotlight. The company, a leader in AI-powered maritime safety systems, is showcasing its Watchkeeper system, a compact yet powerful onboard lookout that uses artificial intelligence to help boaters see what radar and the human eye can miss.
Fresh from its Innovation Route Award win at the Cannes Yachting Festival, the Watchkeeper system is designed to make advanced safety tools accessible to more boaters. “We believe advanced maritime safety shouldn’t be exclusive,” said Marcus Warrelmann, CEO of SEA.AI. “Watchkeeper’s modular design and accessible price point make it possible for more boaters to benefit from this lifesaving technology.”
The system combines thermal and optical cameras with an onboard AI engine that continuously scans the vessel’s surroundings. It detects and classifies objects such as floating debris, buoys, or small boats and instantly alerts crews to possible collision risks. The technology can even spot a person in the water, triggering a man-overboard alert faster than the human eye could respond.
For Warrelmann, the value of the system goes beyond convenience. “Our customers value the confidence that comes with having an intelligent lookout on board that never tires and can see further than the human eye,” he said.
SEA.AI’s technology is not limited to safety. It can also identify marine mammals, including whales, by recognizing their unique visual signatures. This capability helps vessels navigate responsibly in sensitive ecosystems, reducing the risk of collisions with wildlife.
With over 150 dealer and OEM partner locations worldwide, SEA.AI is expanding its reach in the Americas through partnerships with CED Marine and West Marine. By bringing its award-winning technology to one of the world’s biggest boating stages, SEA.AI is reaffirming its commitment to making the seas safer—one camera at a time.
