Technology with Purpose: FarSounder’s Mission to Protect Life Beneath the Surface

A New Era of Conscious Navigation

For over two decades, Matthew Zimmerman, Founder of FarSounder, has been quietly leading a technological shift beneath the waves. What began as an effort to make navigation safer has evolved into something far greater: a movement to merge innovation with environmental responsibility.

From detecting whales in real time to mapping the seafloor for scientific use, FarSounder’s sonar systems do more than guide vessels — they help safeguard the living world beneath them.

“We wanted to build technology that doesn’t just protect ships — it protects life.”— Matthew Zimmerman, Founder of FarSounder

The Birth of Technology with Purpose

Zimmerman’s roots in New England, home to the endangered North Atlantic right whales, shaped his early vision. These giants, now numbering fewer than 400, are frequently injured or killed by vessel strikes. Determined to make a difference, Zimmerman and his team engineered sonar capable of detecting not only rocks and debris but also whales — giving vessels the crucial minutes needed to react.

Today, FarSounder’s products offer detection ranges of up to 1,000 meters, providing a minute and a half of warning time for a yacht traveling at 20 knots. That early detection can mean the difference between tragedy and safe passage.

“Every whale we help save plays a part in protecting our planet.”

Collaboration, Conservation, and the Power of Data

FarSounder’s innovation extends beyond its own technology. Through initiatives like Seabed 2030, vessels equipped with FarSounder sonar can anonymously share depth data to build a global ocean map — advancing science while navigating as usual.

Zimmerman calls this “citizen science in motion.” The data from hundreds of participating vessels feeds into a collective database that helps researchers, conservationists, and governments better understand our seas.

He also points to partnerships with Azure Marine Mammal Observers, Ocean Wise, Whale Alert, SeaKeepers Society, Yacht for Science, and Nexon, all working together through the Whale and Vessel Safety Task Force (WAVES) — a coalition using artificial intelligence to analyze marine mammal data across multiple sources.

“We’re proving that technology and environmental awareness can coexist — and even thrive together.”

Education and Awareness at Sea

For Zimmerman, technology alone isn’t enough. His newest initiative — an online class for bridge crews — teaches whale spotting, safe vessel operations, and the ecological importance of marine mammals. Developed with multiple conservation partners, the course empowers crew to make small, informed choices that collectively protect life at sea.

FarSounder’s philosophy is simple: awareness leads to action. Every crew trained, every whale detected, and every map shared is part of a larger effort to restore balance between human exploration and ocean preservation.

A Future Guided by Purpose

Zimmerman’s parting thought captures the essence of his journey: why not use technology to do good?

His sonar systems may have started as navigation tools, but they’ve become something more — proof that the maritime industry can lead with intention and heart.

Through FarSounder, Matthew Zimmerman reminds us that innovation doesn’t have to come at the ocean’s expense. It can, in fact, become its greatest ally.