Autonomous Docking

Artificial intelligence and automation are everywhere these days, and they are inescapable. Some show promise, while others seem to miss the mark.

In the marine and boating world, however, progress has led to impressive results. One standout is Brunswick and Simrad’s AutoCaptain. After years of development, this autonomous boating system can take over the helm in tricky situations, and has recently been introduced as an available feature on a soon-to-be-expanded list of boats.

From concept to reality

AutoCaptain has been a long time coming, with Brunswick’s engineers working for many years to take it from concept to a trustworthy system that can make anyone’s day on the water even more relaxing and stress-free.

I got to test this new system recently at the 2025 International Boatbuilder’s Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), and was impressed. I had seen a very early-stage ideation of the project years ago at Lake X, Brunswick’s private test facility, and even then, its capabilities were impressive.

With years of engineering and fine-tuning, it is now a highly polished solution for boating in tight quarters and challenging conditions. Simply tap the multifunction display screen where you want the vessel to go, and AutoCaptain will take over the helm and get the boat there efficiently.

Aine Denari, EVP and president of Navico Group and Brunswick’s chief technology officer, explained Brunswick’s goals for this new technology: “With the introduction of AutoCaptain, we are rounding out Brunswick’s ACES strategy by delivering true autonomy, starting with one of the most challenging aspects of boating — docking,” she said. “As the first solution to be commercialized under the ‘Autonomy’ pillar of ACES (Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification, Shared Access), AutoCaptain marks a major milestone in our innovation journey. This system takes the stress out of close-quarters maneuvering, allowing boaters to focus on enjoying their time on the water. And this is just the beginning. The same hardware platform will support an expanding suite of autonomous features that will be rolled out via software updates, enhancing the boating experience by making it more accessible and intuitive for everyone.”

Hands off

AutoCaptain was built from the ground up to work seamlessly with Mercury propulsion systems and a dedicated Simrad app that is fully autonomous, unlike other systems on the market that require operator input. Also, unlike other available systems, AutoCaptain can dock and maneuver without having been in that location before and having learned it from previous logged data. You can simply pick a dock or location, and the system will adjust for wind, current and objects in the water, safely maneuvering the boat without human interaction.

Of course, the captain should be at the helm, overseeing the automated system and be available to immediately take over if warranted. While testing the system at the Port of Tampa, no adjustments or overrides were required. It performed flawlessly in docking and in repositioning the boat. It was even possible to direct it to dock bow or stern in and to adjust the boat’s heading before maneuvering. At the time, there were other demo boats maneuvering around the docks, and the AutoCaptain detected them, predicted their movement, and worked around them, constantly keeping a safe distance. It also did a good job of holding the vessel in position against the dock, making it easy to prepare and tie lines without help from others.

Where to find it

Initially available on the Boston Whaler 405 Conquest, this system comprises sets of strategically placed cameras that are seamless and unobtrusive. You must look closely to identify where they are located within the boat’s superstructure. Combined with other system components and the multifunction display, this system is customizable for the vessels it interfaces with, and the list of boats that will offer AutoCaptain as an option will grow rapidly. It is also a scalable system, designed to be built upon with additional features and options.

I, for one, can’t wait to see what else it will be capable of. I was impressed when it was displayed in its early stages of development, and it is even more impressive in its current form. I’m looking forward to seeing what other autonomous features future versions offer. It’s an option definitely worth investigating, whether you’re new to boating, want the capabilities of a capable assistant when short-handed, or even if you’re a seasoned old salt who just wants to make time on the water more enjoyable.