A New Era of Confidence: Navico Group and Brunswick Redefine Autonomous Docking
- Yachting International Radio
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
The Future Has Arrived
At Dock D of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the water lay still, reflecting more than the hulls of the world’s finest boats — it mirrored a shift in the very act of seamanship itself. Gone were the white-knuckled throttles and shouted corrections. In their place, calm precision.The RAD Autocaptain System, developed by Navico Group, part of Brunswick Corporation, had taken the helm.
“It takes some of the most stressful parts of boating and makes them easier — lowering the barriers to entry for anyone who wants to get on the water.”– Brandon Ferriman, Navico Group | Brunswick Corporation
Autonomy in boating isn’t just a convenience — it’s the next chapter in human-machine harmony on the water. With the debut of autonomous docking, Brunswick and Navico Group aren’t replacing the captain; they’re redefining what mastery feels like.
From ACES to Achievement
Back in 2019, Brunswick’s vision took shape under the ACES framework — Autonomous, Connected, Electrified, Shared Access.They’ve since delivered innovations across each pillar, culminating now in the “A”: autonomous docking.
“We’ve done product releases over these last few years in the Connected, Electrified and Shared areas — and now we’ve come around and finished it up with the Autonomous.”– Brandon Ferriman
For Ferriman, who spent a decade developing driver-assistance systems in the automotive industry, the move into marine autonomy wasn’t a leap — it was a natural evolution. His team set out to give boats awareness — the ability to perceive their surroundings and respond with purpose.
Teaching a Boat to See
Creating autonomous docking meant teaching the system to interpret the unpredictable. Every dock, every reflection, every current.The algorithm was trained using over 100,000 images collected from across the Brunswick Freedom Boat Club fleet — cement, wood, metal docks, green water, black water, blue water — each nuance mattered.
“When you create autonomy algorithms, you have to train them. You have to teach the system that a cement dock and a wooden dock are both docks, that different waters are still water.”– Brandon Ferriman
That training has paid off. The system’s stereo cameras act like a pair of eyes, mapping the world within 50 meters around the boat in real time.From these visual cues, the RAD Autocaptain System calculates distance, motion and approach angle — performing with a steadiness even seasoned captains admire.
Precision with Purpose
Unlike simpler assist technologies, the RAD Autocaptain System doesn’t just respond — it anticipates.If the captain touches the wheel or throttle, the system instantly disengages, returning manual control. Autonomy here is not about removal — it’s about partnership.
When activated, the system issues a distinct chime — a soft tone signalling its final approach.LED lights along the transom mirror the sound, creating an intuitive visual language for the crew.
“As it comes to the closing approach, you’ll hear a chime — it’s letting you know the system is holding the boat steady. That sound means it’s time to tie off and get the guests ready.”– Brandon Ferriman
The scene feels almost cinematic — a boat gliding into its slip under complete control, technology and tradition in perfect sync.
The Moment at FLIBS
At the Boston Whaler display, the crowd grew with every demo. Captains leaned in, engineers took notes, and first-time boaters watched with wide-eyed curiosity.The system was not a concept — it was operational, ready for orders, ready to change the conversation around how we dock.
Confidence Reimagined
The advent of autonomous docking doesn’t diminish human skill; it amplifies it. It offers peace of mind where there was once tension — an invitation for more people to discover the joy of the water without fear of the dock.
“It’s the gateway to boating. It breaks down the barriers for anyone — whether you’re experienced or not.”– Brandon Ferriman
At FLIBS 2025, Brunswick and Navico Group did more than unveil a product — they revealed a future where every boater feels capable, connected and in control.
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