The Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce has launched an initiative to leverage technological advancements and improve boating safety while helping reduce the risk of vessel strikes on North Atlantic right whales. WAVS is a consortium of marine companies, including the Viking Marine Group, Atlantic Marine Electronics, Safe Harbor Marinas, Contender Boats, Yamaha, AmeraTrail, Garmin, Viam and others.
The project will run a 24-foot Contender to test and evaluate technologies designed to mitigate the risk of vessel strikes. Brunswick Corp. and its brands will provide technology to explore how artificial intelligence could support the effort. During the next 12 months, WAVS, a Viking initiative formed in 2022, will conduct testing along the Atlantic coast, working closely with industry leaders to evaluate and integrate systems designed to enhance whale detection, improve navigational safety, and help reduce risks to endangered species.
“The marine industry has a long-standing commitment to responsible stewardship of our oceans, and this project exemplifies that dedication,” Joe Neber, owner of Contender Boats, said in a statement. “By partnering with WAVS, we are providing the expertise and materials necessary to accelerate the development of real-world tools to improve both marine conservation and boater safety.”
Companies interested in participating in equipment testing or supporting this initiative in other ways can visit the WAVS Taskforce website.
