At sea, the traditional methods of using radar, sonar, human observation, and charts to locate hazards and keep track of vessels in relation to their surroundings have been supplemented by AI and machine vision to provide real-time hazard detection and awareness. By combining low-light optical cameras, thermal imaging, and machine learning, vessels can be continuously monitored even in adverse conditions such as nighttime, fog, or heavy seas. These technologies are finding applications not only in commercial shipping and offshore racing yachts but also in government maritime applications, providing additional safety layers and insights.
It was within this context that SEA.AI began operations in 2018 under the name OSCAR, founded by Raphaël Biancale, an automotive engineer, and Gaëtan Gouérou, co-founder of CDK Technologies and former managing director of the IMOCA racing class. The founders began by applying automotive computer vision technology to the maritime environment, developing AI systems capable of real-time detection and tracking of floating objects. In 2022, the company changed its name to SEA.AI to more accurately represent its focus on AI-assisted maritime safety and awareness. Their systems have been installed on various vessels ranging from sailing and motor yachts to commercial vessels, unmanned surface vessels, and offshore racing yachts.
The company’s product line is based on four core systems. Watchkeeper is designed to be modular and to adapt to different navigation styles and different kinds of boats: motorboats, sailing boats, but even USVs, offering an AI-assisted collision avoidance system with ultra-wide-angle cameras and customizable systems designed for small yachts and recreational vessels as well as for USVs. Sentry is designed for commercial, government, and larger yacht applications, offering advanced AI processing and real-time alerts to complement existing navigation systems. The Brain component is the processing module, allowing AI functionality to be integrated with existing thermal camera systems. Finally, there is Competition, designed for offshore racing yachts and vessels with rotating masts, where real-time detection and tracking of objects are essential for rapid and accurate maneuvering.
SEA.AI has been launched globally, with over 1,200 installations as of 2025. Initially, the 2020 Vendée Globe race saw approximately half of the fleet utilizing SEA.AI systems to enhance navigational safety in extreme offshore conditions. Since then, the firm has focused on commercial and government sector applications, such as incorporating Sentry systems into AIRCAT Crew Transfer Vessels, specifically the 35-meter SES vessels recognized for their swift offshore performance.
SEA.AI has developed its capabilities by compiling and labeling over 80 million actual maritime images to train its machine learning algorithms. This large database is the foundation for the accuracy and reliability of its object recognition technology, covering a broad spectrum of scenarios, vessels, and obstacles to ensure the systems are equipped to deal with different situations. Continuous software updates enable the AI to learn and adapt to improve its performance, addressing false positives, low-visibility detection, and sudden changes in maritime environments. This is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to its rigorous development process to enhance situational awareness for vessel operators, without replacing traditional navigation tools.
Partnerships with shipbuilders have greatly accelerated the integration of SEA.AI systems. In 2022, Outremer catamarans introduced SEA.AI systems as optional equipment. In 2025, Nautitech Catamarans introduced AI-assisted vision technology for its performance range of vessels. By 2026, Privilège Marine made SEA.AI’s collision avoidance and situational awareness systems standard equipment for its catamaran range, the first among multihull manufacturers. These partnerships demonstrate the impact of AI-based systems on design and operational standards, with manufacturers including the technology in new vessels to meet operational and safety requirements.
In 2025, the company expanded its vision to environmental monitoring with the EU’s ATLANTIC WHALE DEAL. In collaboration with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and the University of La Laguna, they launched AI vision systems to detect surfacing whales, hoping to reduce ship strikes and help with marine conservation. This is a clear case of AI maritime technology expanding from being a collision avoidance system for human-controlled ships to an ecological protection system.
Their innovations have not passed unnoticed in the maritime technology community. The Watchkeeper system received a special mention at the DAME Design Awards at the METSTRADE 2025 event, and the Brain unit was nominated for a DAME Design Award in 2024. SEA.AI also appeared in the 2025 Blue Tech Index and was listed as one of the Thetius Top 150 maritime technology companies. The Watchkeeper system also won the Innovation Route Award at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival. These awards demonstrate the increasing presence of the company and its contribution to the development of AI safety solutions in the maritime industry.
The systems developed by SEA.AI are designed to work in conjunction with existing navigation systems and not to replace them. The operators receive real-time visual overlays, notifications, and situation awareness on onboard multifunction displays, onboard computers, or mobile devices. This seamless integration enables vessel operators to make informed decisions while keeping their hands on the controls. By leveraging AI-driven detection, large-scale data collection, and periodic software updates, the systems remain relevant across a wide range of operations, from recreational sailing to fast offshore and government maritime operations.
In other words, SEA.AI is a specific application of AI and machine vision technology for maritime safety and operation monitoring. The company’s product line, including Watchkeeper, Sentry, Brain, and Competition, addresses a set of capabilities designed for vessels of varying sizes, operational contexts, and navigation complexity. Through global implementation, collaboration with shipyards, and participation in environmental monitoring projects, the company has shaped safety procedures and facilitated maritime technology adoption. Industry awards such as DAME Design Awards, Cannes Yachting Festival Innovation Route, and Blue Tech Index membership demonstrate the industry visibility of SEA.AI’s products.
