The recent Marine Accident Investigations Board (MAIB) 2024 Annual Report didn’t mince words: human watchkeepers are falling short in the digital age. The report bluntly stated, “Humans do not make good monitors and if under-stimulated, they will find other things to occupy themselves.” This isn’t just a critique—it’s a wake-up call. The MAIB’s preliminary findings on the March 2025 collision between the MV Solong and the Stena Immaculate near the Humber Estuary reinforced the point. The lack of real-time situational awareness turned a near-miss into a tragedy—one fatality, 36 rescued crew, and a ruptured tanker ablaze. This isn’t just about tech upgrades; it’s about rethinking how we keep crews and vessels safe.
Zelim, the Edinburgh-based maritime safety innovator, is stepping into the fray with a bold call for mandatory adoption of advanced situational awareness technology. Their ZOE system combines AI-powered cameras with real-time alerting, offering a lifeline where human vigilance falters. “By combining AI-powered cameras and real-time alerting, advanced technologies such as our ZOE system can help crews act faster, prevent incidents from escalating, and provide trusted records post-event,” said Sam Mayall, CEO of Zelim. The stakes are high—collisions, man-overboard incidents, and regulatory compliance hang in the balance.
India has already taken the lead, mandating CCTV systems on domestic vessels of 500 GT and above by 2028. The regulation doesn’t just demand cameras—it specifies AI-based monitoring, comprehensive camera placement, and resolution standards. This isn’t about surveillance; it’s about proactive detection, tracking, and alerting. “Voluntary measures are no longer enough. To strengthen safety and security at sea, global regulators must follow India’s lead and mandate advanced situational awareness solutions. Smarter ships result in safer seas,” Mayall emphasized.
The question now is whether other nations will follow suit. The MAIB’s report and the Solong-Stena Immaculate incident serve as stark reminders of the consequences of inaction. The maritime industry is at a crossroads: continue relying on human watchkeepers in an increasingly complex digital landscape, or embrace technology that augments human capabilities and reduces reliance on fallible vigilance. The choice isn’t just about compliance—it’s about saving lives.
This isn’t just about adopting new tools; it’s about reshaping how we approach maritime safety. The industry must ask itself: are we ready to rethink the role of human watchkeepers, or will we keep reacting to tragedies after the fact? The answer will shape the future of maritime safety for decades to come.