Introducing HelmWatch: AI-Powered Vessel Monitoring

Every home has a smart thermostat. Every car has an OBD-II port and a dashboard full of warnings. But boats — vessels that operate in one of the harshest environments on earth — are often left unmonitored the moment you step off the dock.

Today, that changes. We are launching HelmWatch: an intelligent monitoring, safety, and advisory platform built specifically for recreational boaters and cruisers.

What is HelmWatch?

HelmWatch connects to your vessel's existing sensors via SignalK and NMEA 2000, evaluates configurable alert rules in real time, and notifies you the instant something needs attention — by push notification, SMS, email, or even a phone call.

Think of it as a smart home system for your boat. Battery voltage dropping overnight? You will know. Bilge pump cycling more than usual? You will know. Anchor dragging at 3 AM? You will definitely know.

Key features at launch

Real-time vessel monitoring — Continuously ingest sensor data including battery voltage, bilge pump cycles, cabin temperature, barometric pressure, GPS position, and more. View everything from a single dashboard, whether you are aboard or miles away.

Configurable alert rules — Set thresholds that matter to you. Get notified when battery voltage drops below 12.2V, when cabin temperature exceeds 95F, when your anchor drifts beyond a set radius, or any combination of conditions you define.

Multi-channel notifications — Alerts reach you wherever you are. Choose from push notifications, SMS, email, WhatsApp, or automated voice calls. Configure escalation chains so critical alerts always get through.

AI-powered assistant — Ask natural-language questions about your vessel's status, get maintenance recommendations based on sensor trends, or request weather and tide briefings for your current location.

Float plan management — Create, share, and monitor float plans with automatic ETA tracking. Designated contacts are notified if you do not check in on time.

Crew coordination — Invite crew members with role-based access. Everyone stays informed without everyone getting every alert.

The vision

HelmWatch is just the beginning. We envision a world where every boat — from weekend runabouts to bluewater cruisers — has access to intelligent monitoring and AI-powered advice. A world where preventable incidents become rare, where boaters spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the water.

We are starting with the fundamentals: reliable monitoring, smart alerts, and actionable notifications. From here, we will expand into predictive maintenance, voyage planning, fleet management, and deeper integrations with marine electronics manufacturers.

Get started

HelmWatch works with any SignalK-compatible setup. If your boat has NMEA sensors and a Raspberry Pi (or our upcoming HelmWatch Gateway), you can be up and running in minutes.

Visit our features page to learn more, or sign up to get started with a 30-day free trial. We cannot wait to help you keep your vessel safe and smart.