SEA.AI Watchkeeper Wins Innovation Award for Collision-Avoidance Tech
At the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival, SEA.AI earned the Innovation Route Award in the category of “Solutions that improve the navigation experience” for its new Watchkeeper system. The honor recognizes forward-thinking products that advance comfort, safety, and performance on the water, and Watchkeeper stood out among more than 120 entries.
Collisions remain the leading cause of serious marine accidents, often involving not just other boats but also floating debris, unlit buoys, marine mammals, and even people in the water. Traditional systems such as radar and AIS frequently miss these hazards, particularly at night. SEA.AI’s Watchkeeper uses ultra-wide 4K optics, optional thermal imaging, and artificial intelligence trained on millions of marine objects to detect and classify risks, then alert crews in real time.
“Winning the Innovation Route Award is a huge honor, not just for the tech, but for the team and community behind it,” said Marcus Warrelmann, CEO of SEA.AI. “We’ve been pushing the boundaries of maritime AI since 2018, back when SEA.AI was still known as OSCAR. Our offshore racing partners created the very first training dataset, braving brutal 24-hour conditions to teach our AI to detect floating hazards that other systems, or even the human eye, can miss.”
The Watchkeeper line starts at $4,990 for the entry-level dawn-to-dusk model and scales through seven configurations designed for different vessels and navigation styles. Options range from low-light optical setups for coastal cruising to full thermal imaging for offshore sailors seeking around-the-clock protection.
The system is designed for easy installation and integration with existing onboard electronics, handheld devices, and LTE connectivity for real-time updates and diagnostics. Available in black or white to match various yacht profiles, Watchkeeper features an intuitive interface with simple, clear alerts that require minimal training.
For many early users, the value lies in pairing advanced technology with practical usability. “I chose Watchkeeper because it offers true AI innovation in a form that’s accessible and practical. As an owner, I value technology that enhances safety without adding complexity, and Watchkeeper delivers exactly that,” said yacht owner Marco Bocchieri.
Capt. Riccardo Spatolisano, skipper of the Azimut 26 Grande MY BK, added: “Even with limited use so far, Watchkeeper impressed me. The AI instantly picks up and classifies objects, and the system is straightforward to operate — advanced technology made remarkably easy to use.”
With this recognition from Cannes, SEA.AI’s Watchkeeper is positioned as a next-generation safety solution for sailors and cruisers alike, delivering tools to make time on the water more secure and less stressful.
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