Garmin ' s Surround View Camera System offers a live bird’ s-eye view video and 360-degree helm visibility. Photos courtesy of Garmin
Increasing accessibility and safety through
oday’ s boaters want their on-water technology to match the smart features they’ re used to at home and on the road.“ Connectivity” is a buzzword that is here to stay according to Dave
Dunn, senior director of marine and RV sales at Garmin.
From advanced telematics to real-time data sharing via cloud and satellite networks, marine electronics are evolving to meet growing demands for automation, remote monitoring, and predictive technology.
Boating Industry discussed these advancing technologies with the National Marine Electronics Association( NMEA) and Garmin to learn how they ' re making boating safer and more accessible.
Pushing for seamless connectivity
The biggest advancements in marine technology, according to Mark Reedenauer, president and executive director of NMEA, are improved connectivity and cloud integration. Formerly expensive commercial-grade tech like sonar and radar are increasingly accessible to recreational boaters.
Technologies like Starlink, Automatic Identification System( AIS), and Wi-Fi are enabling off-boat connectivity, and will eventually allow vessels to send data to a cloud, shore services or other boats.
“ With Starlink, that’ s opening up a world of possibilities,” Dunn agreed.“ As technology becomes more affordable, boats will become more connected and intuitive, featuring advanced remote monitoring, cameras, seamless partner integration and app-based controls similar to modern cars. Features like automatic lighting and digital switching will become more common as costs decline.”
Setting the standards
NMEA plays a crucial role in ensuring cross-system compatibility and the NMEA 2000, the industry’ s common interface standard, enables devices and systems to communicate effectively. The shift toward a higher level of integration is possible thanks to adherence to NMEA standards, helping manufacturers meet expectations through unified systems.
While the integration of various systems on boats has become more sophisticated, challenges remain. Reedenauer noted the ongoing consolidation of manufacturers and the complexities this brings to the industry. The merging of boat brands with electronics and accessory companies means fewer independent players, which could limit competition and innovation. However, NMEA’ s efforts to bring industry stakeholders together to create standardized solutions could help mitigate some of these concerns.
www. boatingindustry. com may 2025
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