Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about BoatVision.
Clear expectations matter for technology used on the water. These answers distinguish the product’s role from the captain’s responsibility.
Product
Is BoatVision an onboard marine situational-awareness system?
Yes. BoatVision is an onboard, camera-based marine situational-awareness system. It uses computer vision to help identify supported visible objects and bring relevant situations to the captain’s attention.
Is BoatVision an autopilot?
No. BoatVision does not steer, control the vessel, choose a maneuver, or make navigation decisions.
Is the BoatVision model trained specifically for maritime use?
Yes. BoatVision uses a vision model trained specifically for maritime scenes and supported marine object classes rather than relying only on a generic camera model. This focus helps the system learn visual patterns found on open water, in channels, and around marine structures. Performance still varies by model version, camera, installation, object size, scene, and conditions.
Can BoatVision identify common visible marine objects?
Yes. Supported visible classes include boats and other watercraft, channel markers, pilings and structures, floating objects, and people. Capability varies by model version, camera, installation, object size, scene, and conditions.
Does BoatVision prioritize what deserves attention?
Yes. BoatVision is designed to separate ordinary object information from situations that may deserve greater attention. Object type, position, motion, persistence, and scene context can influence priority.
Installation
Does BoatVision require an internet connection?
No. Core camera analysis runs locally on the vessel and does not require a constant cloud connection.
Does camera footage need to be uploaded to the cloud?
No. Routine footage does not need to leave the vessel for core visual analysis.
Can BoatVision be added to an existing boat?
Yes. BoatVision is designed to support thoughtful retrofit installations. Suitability depends on camera placement, power, compute location, available display options, cable routing, and the specific vessel.
Can BoatVision be used on different types of boats?
Yes. Potential applications include recreational powerboats, center consoles, cruising and sportfishing vessels, workboats, and patrol vessels. Each installation must be evaluated for practical fit.
Is camera footage processed onboard?
Yes. Core visual processing occurs locally on the vessel. Any future remote service or optional data-sharing feature would be described separately.
Performance and conditions
Does BoatVision include a night display mode?
Yes. BoatVision includes a low-intensity night display treatment, but detection performance depends heavily on the selected camera, available light, installation, object visibility, and product configuration. Do not assume daytime performance applies at night.
Can rain, fog, glare, or rough water affect BoatVision?
Yes. These conditions can reduce visual quality and detection performance. BoatVision cannot see through fog or other obscuration, and it should never be represented as working in all conditions.
Can BoatVision detect a person in the water?
Yes, when the person is visible and the scene supports detection, but person-in-water awareness is not guaranteed. A person may be missed because of distance, lighting, waves, occlusion, camera view, movement, object size, or other factors.
Can BoatVision identify shallow water or submerged rocks?
No. Computer vision can only evaluate what is visible in the camera view. BoatVision does not determine water depth and cannot identify a submerged hazard that is not visually detectable. Use charts, depth instruments, local knowledge, and other appropriate sources.
Safety and responsibility
Does BoatVision replace radar or AIS?
No. BoatVision is intended to complement radar, AIS, charts, depth instruments, and other navigation information, not replace them.
Does BoatVision replace a proper lookout?
No. A proper lookout and the captain’s judgment remain essential at all times.
Does BoatVision guarantee collision avoidance?
No. BoatVision does not guarantee detection, hazard recognition, collision avoidance, or a safe outcome.
Does BoatVision use audible alarms?
No. BoatVision uses a clear visual alert hierarchy designed for the captain display.
Navigator Plan
Will BoatVision stop working if the Navigator Plan expires?
No. The installed BoatVision software continues operating. New software updates, features, and detection improvements pause until the plan is renewed.
Does the Navigator Plan include detection improvements?
Yes. The annual plan includes software updates, new features, detection-model improvements, and performance enhancements.
Demonstrations and partnerships
Can I request a BoatVision demonstration?
Yes. Use the Request a Demo form and tell us about your boat, role, and operating environment. BoatVision can then determine the most useful next conversation.
Can a boat builder or installer work with BoatVision?
Yes. Use the partner inquiry path to describe what you build or install and the type of evaluation or integration you want to discuss.
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