When a crew detects a person in the water, an unlit vessel or another object of interest at night, finding the target is only the beginning. The next challenge is keeping it in sight while managing everything else happening on board.
That is why we have integrated SEA.AI Sentry with The Carlisle & Finch Co.’s SmartVIEW Gateway, connecting AI-powered maritime detection with automatic searchlight control.
Once Sentry detects and classifies a target, a connected Carlisle & Finch searchlight can automatically turn towards it and keep the beam trained on the target as it moves.
The result is a direct link between AI-powered detection and action on the water.
From detection to action
SEA.AI Sentry uses thermal and low-light cameras with AI-based object detection to identify targets that can be difficult to see at night or in challenging visibility conditions. These can include people in the water, unlit vessels, small craft, floating debris and other objects of interest.
The integration with the Carlisle & Finch SmartVIEW Gateway takes the next step.
Once an operator selects a target detected by Sentry, SmartVIEW directs the connected searchlight to its bearing and keeps the beam trained on it using live detection and tracking data from SEA.AI. As the target moves, the searchlight follows automatically.
That removes a familiar challenge for operators: trying to match something seen on a screen with what they see through the windows while simultaneously controlling a searchlight.
Instead of manually chasing a moving target with the searchlight joystick, the crew can concentrate on what happens next, whether that means manoeuvring the vessel, communicating by radio, preparing lifesaving equipment or continuing to monitor the surrounding water.
Supporting search and rescue, security and patrol operations
One important application is nighttime search and rescue.
Imagine a crew searching for a person overboard in low-light conditions. Sentry detects a potential heat signature and flags a possible person in the water. Once the operator selects the target, the SmartVIEW-controlled searchlight turns towards it and keeps it illuminated as the tracking data updates.
While the target remains illuminated, the crew can focus on manoeuvring the vessel, preparing lifesaving equipment and coordinating the recovery.
The same principle applies beyond emergencies. During a nighttime patrol or security operation, a low-profile speedboat or jet ski can be difficult to spot and even harder to follow with a manually operated searchlight. SEA.AI can maintain the track while SmartVIEW keeps the light on the target as it changes speed and direction.
The integration provides:
- Automatic target cueing: A target detected by SEA.AI can be used to cue a connected Carlisle & Finch searchlight directly to its location.
- Active tracking: The searchlight can continue following a selected target using live detection and tracking information from Sentry.
- Reduced operator workload: The crew no longer needs to continuously chase a moving target with a searchlight joystick.
- Broad compatibility: The integration is designed to work across the Carlisle & Finch range, from smaller LED searchlights for boats and patrol craft to large-ship xenon searchlights.
Together, the two systems connect machine vision with proven searchlight engineering, giving crews a more direct way to move from detecting a target to illuminating and following it.
Bringing AI to light
For us, this integration is about more than connecting two systems.
Detection only matters if it leads to action.
SEA.AI provides the AI-powered machine vision and tracking, while Carlisle & Finch brings more than a century of searchlight engineering experience. Founded in 1894, Carlisle & Finch has developed searchlights for applications ranging from smaller boats to large ships.
The result is a solution designed to help crews spend less time operating equipment and more time responding to the situation in front of them.
Whether the target is a person in the water, an unlit vessel, a security concern or another object of interest, the objective is the same: connect detection with action and give the crew a clearer picture of what is happening on the water.
That’s what we mean by bringing AI to light.
We will demonstrate the integrated SEA.AI Sentry and Carlisle & Finch SmartVIEW solution at the 2026 NMEA Conference & Expo, September 29–October 1, at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront in Rockwall, Texas.
Visitors can see the combined solution in action and speak directly with engineers from both companies about how AI-powered detection and automatic searchlight tracking can support maritime operations.
FAQs
What is the SEA.AI and Carlisle & Finch partnership?
The SEA.AI and Carlisle & Finch partnership connects SEA.AI Sentry’s AI-powered maritime detection and tracking with Carlisle & Finch’s SmartVIEW Gateway. This allows a connected searchlight to automatically turn towards and follow a target detected by SEA.AI.
How does SEA.AI work with a Carlisle & Finch searchlight?
SEA.AI Sentry detects and tracks objects using thermal and low-light cameras with AI-based object detection. When an operator selects a target, tracking information is sent to the Carlisle & Finch SmartVIEW Gateway, which directs the connected searchlight towards the target and keeps it illuminated as it moves.
What can the SEA.AI and Carlisle & Finch integration be used for?
The integration can support a range of maritime operations, including nighttime search and rescue, person-overboard response, maritime security and patrol operations. It can help crews illuminate and track people in the water, unlit vessels, small craft, floating debris and other objects of interest while reducing the need to manually operate the searchlight.
