A 24-foot research vessel that will be used as a testbed for technologies that can detect whales will be revealed by the WAVS Taskforce at the American Boating Congress in Washington D.C.
Built by Contender and powered by a Yamaha 300, the center console integrates technologies from leading marine manufacturers in partnership with WAVS (Whale and Vessel Safety). The WAVS boat is a mobile test platform built to advance whale protection through on-the-water innovation. It will be shown off on Wednesday, May 14, during the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s Recreational Boating Technology Demonstration at the Washington Marina in Washington, D.C.
The WAVS Taskforce is a coalition of industry leaders, technology developers and conservation partners working to reduce the risk of vessel strikes and support coexistence between boats and marine mammals. The WAVS Taskforce was created last year when NOAA tried to institute a 10-knot speed limit for most vessels 65 feet or longer during certain whale migration periods, specifically to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale population, which is currently in decline and could face extinction.
The WAVS vessel is equipped with advanced whale detection and alert systems. Outfitted with AI-based systems, thermal imaging and real-time AIS alerting, the WAVS vessel helps detect marine mammals, improve situational awareness and deliver whale location data directly to boat operators. The system was installed and integrated by Atlantic Marine Electronics, a Viking Marine Group company. “This vessel gives us a platform to evaluate the technologies that will define the next generation of conservation and safety,” said Todd Tally, General Manager of Atlantic Marine Electronics and WAVS board member. “We’re not just testing tech–we’re building a foundation for real-world use.”
Among the tools aboard the boat is Garmin’s new AIS messaging feature, which sends whale alerts directly to chartplotters already installed on thousands of recreational boats. The project came together when companies from across the marine sector provided the hull, the power, the trailer, the electronics and other equipment. It was put together with support from Yamaha, Garmin, Brunswick, Viam, AmeraTrail Trailers and other partners.
The WAVS vessel is the first unified, multi-manufacturer initiative to deploy scalable whale protection technology in the field. The boat and its equipment will be used along the East Coast in sync with the North Atlantic right whale’s migratory path.
