Technology and Innovation

Total Sovereignty: Protecting Your Hull With the Industry’s Smartest AI Co-Pilot

SEA.AI concluded a technical masterclass at METSTRADE 2025, centering on the Watchkeeper platform. This modular AI lookout earned a Special Mention at the DAME Design Awards, proving that thermal and optical sensors are the new baseline for elite navigation. By detecting floating hazards, mammals, and unlit vessels that escape radar, the system delivers an authoritative edge. Discover how this co-pilot is currently altering the offshore landscape.

Fast Spin, Zero Fluid: The Hydraulic-Free Strategy That Won the DAME Award

Dometic Group AB concluded a historic run at METSTRADE 2025, cementing their status as a technical titan with the DG3 Gyro Stabilizer. This active gyroscopic masterpiece arrived as a DAME Design Award winner, ditching messy hydraulics for an all-electric, 48VDC architecture. With a 40% reduction in power draw and lightning-fast spin-up times, the DG3 proved that serious stability no longer belongs exclusively to the superyacht elite.

Technology and Innovation

3-Layer Authority: High-Performance Gear for the Modern Navigator

CODE-ZERO left a definitive mark at METSTRADE 2025, proving that elite racing gear doesn’t have to weigh you down. The collection centered on the Waypoint Jacket—an ultralight, 438-gram fortress—and a Salopette engineered for the most aggressive offshore conditions. By blending 10,000 mm waterproof ratings with a sleek, crossover aesthetic, the brand reaffirmed its status as the go-to label for sailors who demand high-performance protection without sacrificing an ounce of style.

Technology and Innovation

Night Vision Evolved: The 4K Laser Spotlight Strategy for Critical Missions

FLIR arrived at METSTRADE 2025 with a technical protagonist that left the industry recalibrating its expectations for thermal safety. The M460-LRF Elite system emerged as a DAME Design Award nominee, blending 4K ultra-low light vision with a staggering 12KM laser rangefinder inside a ruggedized, three-axis stabilized gimbal. It wasn’t just about visibility; it was about the neural networks and AI tracking that now stand guard over the world’s most elite bridges.

Technology and Innovation

Liquid Cooled, Low Maintenance: Engineering the Ultimate Saltwater Workhorse

RAD Propulsion made a definitive mark at METSTRADE 2025, proving that electric drive has finally shed its bulky, experimental phase. The RAD 40 outboard arrived as a compact powerhouse, ditching traditional deck-intruding tilts for a sleek, behind-the-transom profile. With 180° drive-by-wire steering and a high-torque motor delivering a 60hp equivalent, the industry witnessed a serious shift toward intuitive, sustainable marine authority.

Technology and Innovation

The 5 ppm Standard: How Digital Yacht Solved Microplastic Pollution at the Pump

Digital Yacht’s MD, Nick Heyes, created the Bilge iQ system after his own boat nearly sank due to bilge pump failure—a failure that also caused polluted discharge. The intelligent monitoring system connects any pump via NMEA 2000 and Wi-Fi, allowing real-time remote monitoring via Victron’s VRM cloud platform. Partnered with Wave International’s Wavestream filters, Bilge iQ ensures only clean water (to 5 ppm) is discharged. The device earned the DAME Design Award for Environmental Design.

Technology and Innovation

Battery Recharged While Sailing: The Electric Outboard That Makes Fuel Runs History

ePropulsion debuted the Spirit 2 at METSTRADE 2025, defining the next decade of portable electric propulsion. This 2kW outboard features a 1.5kWh quick-connect battery and achieves a 3kW sport mode boost. Critically, it utilizes hydrogeneration, allowing the battery to recharge while under sail, maximizing range sustainably. Weighing just 20.6 kg, the Spirit 2 is a compact, eco-friendly solution for dinghies and day cruisers, offering silent, high-performance power.

Technology and Innovation

Engine Room to Bulkhead: The Full-Spectrum Engineering That Solved Yacht Integrity

Halyard, a trusted specialist in engineered marine solutions, attended METSTRADE 2025, emphasizing its dual expertise. As a distributor for Ucalsa, Halyard offers bespoke, fire-rated doors and hatches (A0 to A60 certified) that are individually verified for watertightness. Simultaneously, Halyard provides Lloyd’s Type Approved hoses and bellows for marine diesel exhaust systems. This unique combination delivers optimized, custom components that significantly improve vessel safety, efficiency, and life onboard.

Technology and Innovation

Beyond Anchoring: The Simple Device That Just Saved Countless Yacht Hulls

Ultra Marine attended ICE 2025, exhibiting the ULTRA ANCHOR RING, a technical solution for emergency anchor retrieval. This device ensures safe recovery by utilizing a secondary attachment point, eliminating anchor line fouling and preventing damage to the boat. The Ring maintains the yacht’s ability to retrieve the main anchor even if the shackle or bow roller fails, proving Ultra Marine’s dedication to uncompromising safety and intelligent anchoring systems.

Technology and Innovation

Beyond Teak: The Decking System That Redefines Comfort and Noise Reduction

Aquadeck, part of the Permateek family, exhibited its premium EVA foam decking at METSTRADE 2025, confirming its leadership in marine flooring. The material fuses lasting durability with exceptional comfort, while its design actively boosts traction as it gets wetter. Backed by 3M 9775WL adhesive and utilizing CNC precision, Aquadeck offers high customization in color and pattern. This technology is the thrilling choice for builders and owners seeking reliable grip, noise reduction, and style.