AI System ZOE Detects Man Overboard Incidents in Seconds
A new artificial intelligence system designed for cruise ships can detect passengers falling overboard in as little as four seconds, day or night.
A UK-based company, Zelim, has developed an AI-powered system named ZOE that promises to dramatically improve survival rates for individuals falling into the water from cruise ships. The technology can detect both adults and children overboard within four seconds, providing an immediate playback of the incident and functioning even in complete darkness.
Current methods for detecting man overboard situations can take hours, resulting in vast search areas and significantly reduced chances of successful rescue. While an estimated 30 million people cruise annually, around 21 fall overboard, with survival rates dropping sharply after the first hour. ZOE aims to mitigate this by offering near-instantaneous alerts.
"Speed and certainty are everything in a man–overboard situation," said Mike Collier, vice president of cruise at Zelim. "The priority is knowing exactly what has happened and when, so crews can act immediately to maximise the chances of rescue or recovery." He added that the system provides alerts that crews can trust to be genuine, addressing the issue of incidents going unnoticed for extended periods.
ZOE utilizes advanced computer vision and video analytics, analyzing live feeds from a network of optical and thermal cameras that continuously monitor the vessel's surroundings. It automatically identifies when a person enters the water and alerts the crew within seconds. The system is designed to operate reliably in various conditions, including daylight, darkness, rain, snow, and rough seas.
Beyond initial detection, ZOE can continuously track a person in the water, maintaining visual contact and providing precise location data throughout the rescue operation. This continuous tracking is crucial for reducing search times and increasing the likelihood of a successful recovery, especially as ships can travel significant distances quickly after an incident.
Tests of the ZOE system were conducted over a 90-day period during challenging winter conditions aboard the Ambition cruise ship, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line. The system has since achieved certification, passing international safety standards, including the ISO standard for high detection accuracy and a low false alarm rate.
Jamie Bartnett from International Cruise Victims noted that this advancement is a significant step forward for passenger and crew safety. "It is not feasible to simply turn a cruise liner around, but knowing precisely when and where someone has fallen allows smaller rescue vessels to be deployed quickly, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome," Bartnett stated.
Zelim CEO Sam Mayall founded the company after a personal experience highlighted the dangers of undetected overboard incidents. He explained that while traditional methods rely on human observation, ZOE provides an automated layer of safety. Depending on ship size, between 12 and 26 cameras are needed to ensure full 360° coverage.