Two articles in the marine trade news forum (Marine Industry News) have struck a jarring note with me. One from a short while ago is within the link below.

Best to read before going further…

www.marineindustrynews.co.uk/no-legacy-constraints-how-navico-plans-to-reinvent-boating-with-ai

Now, I might be missing something within the article, but I feel I can’t possibly be alone in thinking, ‘Bloody Hell, whatever is going on…’

I read through the later article, skimming along nonchalantly before being brought up sharply. I then restarted reading very carefully, then the other.

Essentially a company is leading the development of AI technology that will take the ‘stress‘ out of berthing a boat and other manoeuvres.

Sailing Whimbrel into my Blackwater marina berth, alone, using experience and seamanship…

Now, from what I gleaned, it is currently only power boats that are being played with, but one can see the system being transferred to sailing craft. These are large craft too, certainly not the typical seven to ten metre sized vessel. Clearly thrusters are needed, fore and probably aft too.

The ideology behind the technology puts the ‘auto-captain’ in charge of the vessel’s manoeuvring, berthing, leaving and close quarters scenarios, working out how to deal with these situations without causing a collision. Food for thought.

Sailing off Brightlingsea Harbour’s Heritage Pontoon: crew ready to slip.

The technology used 360 deg camera views with tide (I assume as not stated) and wind conditions being collated, real time. Presumably like the human brain, but more accurately…

Clearly it has to be activated by the ‘skipper’…

The technology has been ‘imported’ from road vehicles.

So, everyone, this is the future.

Don’t worry about your seamanship anymore, AI will take care of it!