Problem
Insufficient fatigue monitoring in bridge watchkeeping poses a severe threat to maritime and inland waterways safety. Studies reveal alarming statistics, with 25% of marine casualties attributed to seafarers fatigue. IMO's research on seafarers fatigue revealed that one in four seafarers admitted to falling asleep while on watch.
BNWAS
The Bridge Navigational Watch & Alarm System (BNWAS), introduced two decades ago, falls short in addressing the complexities of modern watchkeeping. Dormant periods of 3 to 12 minutes and delegation of reset procedures exacerbate the issue.
Adapting to the Times
Sitting on the bridge during watchkeeping was once restricted. The shift to more sedentary watchkeeping practices with the advent of modern technology like ECDIS and flat-screen radar displays contribute to problem.
Aware Mate Demo
Captured during a controlled bridge-sim test
Solution
Aware Mate offers a solution by introducing fatigue and distraction detection cameras to bridge watchkeeping—leveraging modern technology and evolving practices to enable real-time monitoring that’s both feasible and effective.
How Aware Mate Works
Video analytics track the watchkeeper’s gaze and can raise an advisory when sustained indicators appear—such as prolonged eye closure, head droop, or fixation on distracting objects. Domain adapted vision models are designed to operate in bridge noise and lighting, supporting consistent detection.
Privacy and Security
Aware Mate runs on dedicated edge hardware. Data minimisation and retention are configurable to operator policy, and off ship transfer is optional. Models are deployed on device to support local analysis.
Integration Capabilities
Aware Mate can interface with existing shipboard alerting, including BNWAS where permitted by policy and class requirements. It is a versatile add on intended to support safety without disrupting routine bridge duties.
Aware Mate Operational Trial
Operational trial footage from a live bridge environment.
International Transport Federation (ITF) Fatique Report
An excerpt from this comprehensive ITF fatique report: Fatigue in frame again over bulker grounding - Lloyd's List, Tuesday April 18 2006
A FATIGUED master, alone and asleep on the bridge of his ship, caused the grounding of a British-registered bulker in the Baltic Sea last October, a Marine Accident Investigation Branch report has concluded, writes Michael Grey. On a voyage from Hamburg to Klaipeda, the 2,777 dwt Lerrix was being monitored by Warnemunde VTS when it failed to alter course and despite efforts to contact the ship was seen to run aground. The master, who had permitted the lookout to leave the bridge, had fallen asleep in the pilot chair.
The casualty is the latest in a considerable list of incidents in which fatigue has played a major part...
Aware Mate Operational Trial
Operation Trial on the RO-PAX "Marko Polo", December 2025
Benefits
Enhanced Navigational Safety
Aware Mate supports maritime and inland waterway safety by using video analytics to monitor indicators of fatigue and distraction in bridge watchkeepers. This high level approach helps reduce risk from reduced alertness, enhancing overall operational safety.
Fatigue & Distraction Monitoring
The system employs computer vision techniques—using domain adapted models—to track sustained indicators of fatigue and distraction among watchkeepers. It is designed for real time operation in varied bridge conditions, providing a practical way to manage and mitigate human factor risks.
Privacy & Data Security
Aware Mate prioritizes watchkeeper privacy with edge processing by default. Personal data handling is minimised, and nothing is sent off ship unless enabled by policy. Fatigue and distraction are analysed locally; only aggregated insights may be retained. This privacy first approach supports compliance and safer navigation.
MAIB Bridge Watchkeeping Safety Study
A recent study delves into the complexities of fatigue-related accidents in bridge watchkeeping, revealing how prolonged duty periods and insufficient rest contribute to lapses in attention and judgment among watchkeepers.
Guidelines for Managing Distraction-Causing Devices
A new set of industry guidelines tackles the growing safety risk of distraction from phones, tablets, and other devices on board—showing how divided attention can erode situational awareness in safety-critical roles.
Apply for the Aware Mate Pilot
Pilot scope: 1–2 vessels • 8–12 weeks • clear success criteria • minimal disruption.