Safe Boats International - Experts & Thought Leaders

Hefring Marine announced an investment of €2.2 million led by Faber Ventures with participation by Innoport VC, Two Ravens, MD-One, Riverstone Ventures, Idlewild Management LLC, and Sukna Holdings.  Hefring Marine is an Icelandic deep-tech company that specialises in intelligent maritime solutions, with a mission to empower vessel operators and managers to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability.  An AI-driven on-board system The company’s main product, IMAS, is an AI-driven on-board system that collects and analyses vessel data for real-time on-board decision support, optimising for speed, route, and heading, as well as providing operators and managers with immediate and historical insights into the entire fleet. The IMAS system can significantly improve situational awareness to enhance safety, reduce fuel use and emissions, and provide insights into vessel conditions and maintenance needs.  IMAS solution The funding will be used to grow the team with new hires, expand the company’s sales infrastructure Initially targeting a raise of €2.0 million, greater interest in the round by investors than initially expected prompted Hefring Marine to increase the funding amount. The funding will be used to grow the team with new hires, expand the company’s sales infrastructure, and further advance developments of the IMAS solution.  Addressing environmental challenges Rita Sousa, Partner at Faber Ventures, commented, "We are excited to partner with Hefring Marine in their mission to drive positive change across all segments of the professional and leisure boating industries." "Their innovative approach to addressing environmental challenges makes them an ideal investment for us." Customers and partnerships Hefring Marine has a diverse range of customers, engaging in everything from search and rescue, defence, law enforcement, crew transfer, fisheries, and pilotage to tourism, charter, and leisure. The Icelandic company has recently announced partnerships with vessel builders, such as SAFE Boats International, Diverse Marine, and Archipelago Yachts, as well as commercial partnerships with the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, TM Insurance, and the Italian Coast Guard.  An advanced suite of intelligent, data-driven solutions The IMAS system has helped Hefring Marine’s customers reduce fuel use by up to 20% The IMAS system has helped Hefring Marine’s customers reduce fuel use by up to 20%, reduce harmful wave impacts by up to 70% and reduce insurance premiums by 20%. With an ever-growing database amassing over 1,000 vessel trips per month, Hefring Marine is continuously expanding its future product roadmap and opportunities with an advanced suite of intelligent, data-driven solutions.  Boosting awareness The company maintains a portfolio of registered international patents and trademarks, branding elements, and intellectual property assets. Hefring Marine will have a presence at most major industry trade shows in Europe and the United States over the year to boost awareness and grow sales and will target a larger financing round in late 2025 to scale the business further. 

SAFE Boats International and Hefring Marine have announced a formal partnership between the companies, combining SAFE Boats’ focus on durability, safety and performance with Hefring Marine’s intelligent tools for crew welfare, efficiency and vessel lifecycle management.  With over 1,000 nautical miles of Hefring Marine IMAS (Intelligent Marine Assistance System) data recorded through various trials and demonstrations on the SAFE 35 MMI (Multi-Mission Interceptor), the companies are confident in the solution’s capability and suitability for SAFE Boats’ range of professional vessels and their users. Improving welfare and safety of crew Richard Schwarz, the CEO of SAFE Boats International, shared, "Working with Hefring Marine allows us to provide our customers with a unique set of tools to help improve the welfare and safety of their crew and to generate richer insights into the use and efficiency of their vessels." He adds, "Offering IMAS to our customers aligns with our commitment to continuously innovate and our mission to provide professional mariners with the most capable boats that allow them to complete their missions and save lives." Advanced tools for fleet Hefring Marine’s IMAS solution uses an onboard computer and sensors to monitor, collect and process data on motions, impacts, engines, navigation and other available systems. The system can make real-time predictions and deliver operators with condition-adaptive decision support, optimising speed for impact and vibration minimisation, fuel use and range maximisation. The partnership represents a joint commitment to understand the demands of SAFE Boats' customers All collected and processed data can be stored on board or transferred in real time for storage and active monitoring to the IMAS Console, which provides a range of tools for performance visualisation, reporting and in-depth analysis.  This collaboration represents a joint commitment to better understand the unique demands of SAFE Boats' diverse range of customers and to make available to them an array of advanced decision-enhancing tools designed specifically to enhance their fleets’ capabilities.  Developing new standards in maritime Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO and Co-Founder of Hefring Marine, said, "We are proud to have the opportunity to work with SAFE Boats International. Their exceptional track record in building robust, high-performance vessels complements our vision of enhancing professional boat operations through the integration of data-driven technology." He adds, "We believe this partnership will not only foster innovation but also set new standards in maritime excellence, creating a more advanced future on the water."

SAFE Boats International announces the introduction of a revolutionary, autonomous hydrographic survey vessel: Merlin. This innovative, 23-metre semi-displacement monohull design was developed in collaboration with Mythos AI, Echo81, and World Marine Design. SAFE Boats International has exclusive rights to build the design at their Tacoma, Washington large-craft production facility. Autonomous hydrographic survey vessel: Merlin Merlin will be a Jones Act-compliant all-aluminum hull powered by a twin Volvo Penta D13 Hybrid-ready System with IPS. For a zero-emission power package, the Merlin can accommodate forward-thinking hydrogen technology supplied by Zero Emission Industries (ZEI). Both power options offer lower emissions and extended range to perform site assessment surveys at offshore wind energy areas. Featuring three deck levels The hull was specifically designed to incorporate the industry’s most advanced sonars with minimal interference Three deck levels offer crew and technicians sleeping berths, full bathroom, galley, survey workstation, and a marine mammal observer post on the fly-bridge. The generous aft working deck is equipped with an A-Frame, dual winches, moonpool, and outboard seismic booms. The hull was specifically designed to incorporate the industry’s most advanced sonars with minimal interference, while collecting data at a highly efficient pace.  Seakeeper gyro provides active ride control A Seakeeper gyro provides active ride control, greatly enhancing stability and crew comfort. A shallow draft of 1.6 metres allows the Merlin to perform various survey missions and make port in small or large harbours across the U.S.   Hydrographic systems provider, Echo81, is nationally recognised as a renowned expert in the hydrographic survey industry. With their contribution, Merlin is the industry’s first geophysical vessel that can be acquired directly from the builder (SAFE Boats International) with a fully integrated geophysical sensor suite configured specifically for U.S. Offshore Wind. Echo81 to offer a single source for sensor service and support Echo81 will provide a single source for sensor service and support, drastically reducing the cost burdens associated with owning and operating survey vessels. Mythos AI, a cutting-edge maritime autonomy provider, is responsible for optimising Merlin vessels for autonomous survey operations. Mythos AI’s advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) Mythos AI’s advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) are designed specifically to automate geophysical workflows, so that skilled hydrographers and crew are not required to physically be onboard the vessel. As Mythos AI’s technology advances, it will be capable of providing a push-button, long endurance, dock-to-dock, self-driving and self-surveying solution for offshore wind.