Zelim's AI-Driven Safety System Wins 2025 British Safety Council Award

Zelim, an innovative company specializing in maritime safety technologies, has been awarded the 2025 Health and Safety Transformation Award by the British Safety Council for its automatic man overboard detection system, known as ZOE. The award was announced on June 27, 2025, recognizing ZOE's significant contributions to enhancing safety protocols in high-risk maritime environments. This advanced system utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to detect individuals who have fallen overboard, demonstrating a remarkable detection probability of 96.8 percent from a distance of 300 meters.

Developed in collaboration with the United States Coast Guard, ZOE leverages a dataset of over 7 million maritime images, enabling it to operate under challenging conditions such as poor visibility and high-motion scenarios without the need for wearables or human confirmation. According to Zelim, the system integrates seamlessly with existing vessel camera and sensor setups, activating automated safety responses upon detection. These include location tagging, alert notifications, video logging, and a recovery checklist designed to assist emergency response teams effectively.

John Smith, CEO of Zelim, stated, "Our goal with ZOE is to enhance survivability in man overboard incidents, and this award underscores the impact of our technology in achieving that mission." The system has already been deployed on a North Sea jack-up rig and a UK-flagged cruise ship, with plans for installation on a naval frigate. Additionally, ZOE is currently undergoing trials with asset operators, ports, and defense agencies globally, emphasizing its versatility in preventing collisions and unauthorized water entries.

The British Safety Council, which sponsors the award, noted that the Health and Safety Transformation Award honors organizations that utilize innovative approaches to reduce harm in the workplace. The council highlighted that ZOE was selected from a competitive shortlist that included notable entries from leading organizations such as Saudi Aramco and Pertamina.

Dr. Emily Chen, a safety technology researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, commented on ZOE's innovative design. She stated, "The integration of machine learning in safety systems represents a significant advancement in maritime safety. The ability to accurately detect persons in distress can save lives and reduce operational risks in the maritime industry."

As part of its operational approval, ZOE has received Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register under ISO 21195, a standard dedicated to the performance of man overboard detection systems. Zelim anticipates completing full type approval shortly, which would make ZOE the first system of its kind to achieve complete certification under this standard. The approval process has involved extensive trials and third-party evaluations to validate its detection capabilities and operational functionality.

In summary, Zelim's pioneering work with the ZOE system signifies a transformative leap in maritime safety technology, aligning with global trends toward automation and enhanced safety measures. As the system continues to be tested and deployed, its impact on the maritime industry could set new benchmarks for safety standards, potentially influencing regulations and practices worldwide.

The British Safety Council’s recognition of Zelim illustrates the increasing importance of innovative safety solutions in high-risk sectors, and the ongoing commitment to reducing workplace incidents through technology-driven approaches. As maritime operations become more complex, the integration of intelligent systems like ZOE may well become the standard in ensuring crew and passenger safety across the globe.