Deployed off the coast of Arnhem Land through a partnership between Riverside Oceanic and Perth-based Greenroom Robotics, the system demonstrated how AI-driven situational awareness can strengthen crew safety, safeguard marine wildlife and enhance oversight during complex survey operations.

Riverside Oceanic, part of the 100-year-old Australian owned Riverside Marine Group, mobilized the Riverside Guardian to support a 60-day hydrographic project gathering data in the sensitive marine environment of Arnhem Marine Park.

To enhance safety and lower risk to personnel onboard and marine wildlife, the vessel was equipped with Greenroom Robotics’ Lookout+ system for the duration of the project.

Lookout+ uses AI software to detect, classify and geolocate vessels, marine mammals, navigation markers and other ocean hazards in real time. It is integrated with optical, radar and thermal cameras to detect collision threats.

During the two-month deployment, Lookout+:

• recorded a distance travelled of 8,396 nautical miles
• identified 1,840 objects
• verified 2,784 square nautical miles of ocean coverage.

This equates to an average of 22 tracked objects per day covering an area more than 4 times the size of the Australian Capital Territory. The trial results demonstrated an exceptional level of reliability and operational value.

Angus Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Riverside Marine commented on the success of the campaign noting: “Our research vessels operate in highly sensitive marine environments which require no compromise in safety awareness from crew onboard. Our partnership with Greenroom Robotics reflects our ongoing commitment to safety and innovation through using the latest AI technology to minimize safety risk for all personnel onboard as well as marine wildlife.

“It is a powerful tool to monitor the marine environment in real time providing useful alerts to the crew on the bridge.

“With Lookout+, we’re not only improving safety for our crew and vessels but also acting as responsible ocean stewards, protecting the marine environments we work in.”

Harry Hubbert, Chief Operating Officer of Greenroom Robotics, said the technology sets a new benchmark for safety and environmental protection: “Traditionally, a human lookout working in isolation can only view about a 15-degree section of ocean and only during daylight hours. The optical and heat sensing cameras provide 360-degree awareness, operating 24/7.

“Lookout+ delivers unparalleled levels of situational awareness at sea, playing a critical role in preventing vessel collisions and helping to safeguard marine life and crew safety.”

The hydrographic survey was recently carried out by Riverside Marine under the Hydro Scheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP). The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) designs and manages HIPP activities using a risk-based approach, focusing on improving navigation safety and reducing environmental risk.