When cruise passengers imagine a relaxing voyage, they rarely think about the technology quietly working behind the scenes to keep them safe. But for Sam Mayall and Doug Lothian, the founders of Edinburgh, Scotland-based safety innovator Zelim<\/a>, ensuring passenger safety is a full-time mission\u2014one that\u2019s rapidly evolving thanks to the company\u2019s AI-powered man-overboard detection and tracking system, ZOE<\/a>.<\/p>\n Recently installed aboard the cruise ship Ambition<\/em>, ZOE faced its toughest test yet. For Zelim, adapting the system for use in the complex environment of a cruise ship presented both technical and operational hurdles.<\/p>\n \u201cTechnically, this was the first time we deployed so many cameras in a single environment,\u201d said Mayall. While the software itself had been proven, the hardware required rigorous load and soak testing to ensure it could handle real-time processing of multiple video streams without failure. \u201cWe needed to be absolutely certain the system would remain robust under constant pressure,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The operational challenges were no less significant. Installation had to be done while the vessel was in service\u2014without disrupting the guest experience. \u201cWe had crews flying around the world to meet Ambition<\/em> in different ports, including in the Caribbean,\u201d Mayall said. \u201cIt was a logistical headache, but worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n ZOE\u2019s capabilities go far beyond just recording footage. In man-overboard scenarios, the system uses a two-step process: it first detects the fall, then uses pan-tilt-zoom cameras to track the person in the water\u2014even in rough seas or poor visibility. \u201cWe use predictive tracking,\u201d explained Mayall, \u201cso even when the person isn\u2019t visible due to wave action, the system anticipates where they\u2019re likely to be, with almost 100% accuracy.\u201d<\/p>\n The independent testing aboard Ambition<\/em>, including evaluations by Lloyd\u2019s Register, proved the system\u2019s accuracy. Zelim even tested ZOE\u2019s response to adult, child, and infant mannequins\u2014going beyond ISO standards\u2014and found it could accurately detect smaller bodies, treating them as distant adult figures.<\/p>\n ZOE is also the foundation for Watchkeeper, a forthcoming product designed to provide 360-degree awareness around the vessel, detecting not only people overboard but also navigational hazards like flotsam, small craft, and low-radar-signature threats. \u201cRadar is great, but it struggles with small or low-profile objects,\u201d Lothian explained. \u201cWatchkeeper fills that gap, offering constant vigilance in all directions.\u201d<\/p>\n The goal, Lothian says, is not to replace human watchkeepers, but to reduce their stress and workload. \u201cWatchkeeper never gets tired, never gets distracted. It\u2019s your best officer of the watch\u201424\/7.\u201d<\/p>\n With the maritime industry seeing an uptick in overboard incidents and increasing concern over bridge team fatigue, ZOE\u2019s real-time AI capabilities may prove crucial\u2014not just for cruise ships, but for tugboats, tankers, offshore vessels, and beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had great reception across the cruise sector,\u201d Mayall said. \u201cAnd we\u2019re beginning to hear from vessel operators we hadn\u2019t even approached. The interest is global\u2014and growing.\u201d<\/p>\n ZOE and Watchkeeper represent more than just the next step in maritime surveillance. They\u2019re a leap toward proactive, AI-driven safety systems that not only save time and money\u2014but lives.<\/p>\n The post AI at sea: Inside Zelim\u2019s ZOE safety system<\/a> appeared first on Marine Log<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marinelog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Frame-48-1-1.png.webp?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1\")