WAVS Taskforce Honored with Prestigious Marine Innovation Award

The Whale and Vessel Safety (WAVS) Taskforce, an initiative spearheaded by Viking Marine Group, has recently received the distinguished Marine Research Hub (MRH) Innovation & Sustainability Award. This esteemed accolade was presented during the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, acknowledging the taskforce's significant contributions to marine innovation and environmental stewardship. The award underscores the collaborative efforts of industry leaders in addressing critical ecological challenges.

Pioneering Marine Protection: The WAVS Taskforce's Award-Winning Efforts

Established in late 2022, the WAVS Taskforce was created with a clear mission: to advance technological solutions aimed at reducing vessel collisions with North Atlantic right whales and other marine species, thereby improving overall safety for both wildlife and seafarers. The taskforce operates a 24-foot Contender research vessel, generously donated by Joe Neber, Founder and President of Contender Boats. This vessel, equipped with a powerful 300 hp Yamaha engine, is outfitted with state-of-the-art detection systems, radar, and AI classification software. These tools enable the collection of crucial real-world data on vessel speed, marine life detection, and collision avoidance strategies.

Viking President and CEO Pat Healey expressed profound gratitude for the donation, emphasizing its pivotal role in the taskforce's success. Catherine O’Fallon, Executive Director of the Marine Research Hub, lauded WAVS for its exceptional educational outreach and its ability to unite industry stakeholders around the urgent issue of marine conservation. John DePersenaire, Viking Marine Group's Director of Government Affairs and Sustainability, highlighted the ongoing work to utilize advanced technology for improved detection of whales and other objects in the water, ensuring enhanced safety for all.

The taskforce's work is particularly pertinent given the regulatory landscape surrounding vessel speed. While a 2022 NOAA proposal to expand 10-knot speed limits was withdrawn in January 2025, the existing 2008 rule, which applies to vessels 65 feet and larger within specific seasonal management areas along the Eastern Seaboard, remains in effect. WAVS continues to make tangible progress in developing and validating tools that mitigate vessel strike risks and boost situational awareness for boaters. This collaborative approach, involving key partners such as Viam, Garmin, Yamaha, Brunswick, FLIR, and many others, is fostering the creation of new systems for real-time whale detection, data sharing, and vessel alerts, ultimately striving to reduce collisions and enhance maritime safety.

The recognition of the WAVS Taskforce with the MRH Innovation & Sustainability Award serves as a powerful testament to the marine industry's growing commitment to environmental responsibility and technological advancement. It highlights a critical step forward in safeguarding marine ecosystems while ensuring the safety of maritime operations. This initiative demonstrates that through concerted effort and innovative solutions, it is possible to achieve a harmonious balance between human activity and marine conservation. It inspires further collaboration and innovation in protecting our oceans' precious inhabitants.