WhaleSpotter AI Brings Thermal Whale Detection to Yachts
The technology detects marine mammals at up to 3 nautical miles to support navigation safety in active whale habitats.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Viking Yacht Company has installed WhaleSpotter, an AI-powered thermal detection system, onto a 70 Convertible boat to identify marine mammals at sea. The system, which has been deployed in over 70 locations globally, is currently being tested by the manufacturer for real-world vessel strike mitigation.
Why it matters
As maritime regulations regarding vessel speed and interaction with marine life evolve, this technology provides a technical path to detect whales in real-time. It enables vessel operators to improve situational awareness in navigation zones where ship strikes remain a critical risk.
The WhaleSpotter system offers a detection range of 2 to 3 nautical miles. It utilizes AI software to isolate whale thermal signatures from ambient sea spray and waves, providing continuous tracking data to a helm-mounted tablet.
The players
Viking Yacht Company
A New Jersey-based manufacturer of high-end convertible yachts that is actively integrating marine safety tech into its fleet.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
A private, nonprofit research organization whose oceanographic research served as the technical foundation for the WhaleSpotter AI.
Atlantic Marine Electronics
A systems integrator specializing in the installation of navigation and safety electronics on luxury marine vessels.
The details
WhaleSpotter combines thermal imaging cameras with specialized machine learning algorithms to process infrared data in real-time. The processing computer and camera optics are housed in a single unit, which Atlantic Marine Electronics mounted on the yacht’s tuna tower. The system differentiates biological heat signatures from environmental noise like whitecaps, displaying the distance and bearing of detected objects directly to the captain.
Timeline
28 October to 1 November: Viking will demonstrate the technology at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
17 September: President Trump signed an executive order regarding vessel speed.
The Tech Race
The deployment of WhaleSpotter follows the 2008 NOAA vessel speed rule for vessels 65ft+, which enforces a 10-knot limit in designated zones. By augmenting visual navigation with thermal AI, Viking is positioning its fleet to align with intensifying federal focus on maritime wildlife protection.
Owners of large vessels can expect to see integrated thermal AI systems offered as a solution for navigating protected waters safely. This technology changes the bridge workflow by providing a persistent, automated watch capability that supplements traditional radar and visual spotting.
The takeaway
This technology demonstrates a shift toward automated marine observation systems designed to reduce vessel strikes. Interested observers should monitor the Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce for updates on the system's effectiveness during upcoming winter operations in the South Atlantic.
What happens next
Viking will demonstrate the technology during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, running from 28 October to 1 November.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Artificial Intelligence impacting marine navigation and safety.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Marine Industry News.
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