Orca AI, a leading maritime technology company founded in 2018 by Yarden Gross and Dor Raviv, has introduced Co-Captain, a software feature designed to improve maritime safety. Today, this network continues to grow and connect more and more vessels worldwide. It gives them the opportunity to document events in real-time and provide lessons learned and best practices. Maritime accidents have increased by 22 percent due to older ships and equipment malfunctions. Co-Captain is passionate about addressing these challenges and preventing more tragedies at sea.
Co-Captain works by pulling data from various onboard sensors, which is sent back to the cloud for processing to deliver insights. By analyzing every aspect of a ship’s timing, movements, and route, the system delivers timely, actionable information that improves performance and safety. By providing a single point of delivery for alerts and updates, Co-Captain helps vessels to more accurately anticipate unexpected risks and reduce accidents.
Currently, over 1,200 vessels are utilizing Co-Captain. We’re currently piloting the feature with multiple bridge systems, including Navigational Telex (NAVTEX), and Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). This will massively increase what it can do. This combination deepens our sense of what’s happening out there in today’s maritime environment. It considers the size and design of ships that would be operating in close proximity.
Yarden Gross, CEO and co-founder of Orca AI, elaborated on the functionality of Co-Captain, stating, “Every ship acts as a node in a larger network, and each node—the vessel itself—has an onboard AI platform. This platform collects data from multiple sensors in real time.”
Co-Captain’s unique approach prioritizes privacy. By anonymizing data, the public is still able to receive important critical safety alerts. This would be the case for GPS interference, severe weather phenomenon, and congested waters, maintaining the anonymity of the reporting vessel. This attribute increases area-wide collaborative safety between all vessels and upholds anonymity.
“Co-Captain is a network of vessels using Orca to capture events worldwide and share insights. Think of it like the navigation app you use in your car: it tells you about traffic or roadblocks in advance so you can adjust your route,” – Yarden Gross
Advanced technology isn’t new to the maritime technology industry. This is all taking place at a key time as the industry is looking for answers to mounting safety crisis. Co-Captain’s data analysis capabilities help prevent incidents by providing insights on potential risks, ensuring that ship operators are better informed about their surroundings.
In a time when maritime operations are rapidly advancing in a new technological era, the need for transformative safety solutions such as Co-Captain will only increase. Orca AI’s determination to leverage technology to enhance maritime safety raises the bar across the industry.