Zelim wins British Safety Council award for AI health and safety system
Iain Hoey
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Zelim recognised for AI system in British Safety Council awards
Zelim has been named the winner of the British Safety Council’s 2025 Health and Safety Transformation Award for its automatic man overboard detection system.
According to Zelim, its system ZOE was selected from a shortlist of ten international organisations, including Saudi Aramco, Pertamina, and the Universities Safety and Health Association.
The company stated that ZOE is designed for use in maritime, offshore and defence sectors and has been developed using over 7 million maritime images.
ZOE was created with support from the United States Coast Guard and uses machine learning to detect and track people in the water.
The company added that the system can function in poor visibility and high-motion conditions, removing the need for wearables or human confirmation.
Man overboard system designed with US Coast Guard
Zelim stated that the ZOE system integrates with existing vessel camera and sensor setups.
Once a person is detected, the system activates a series of automated safety responses.
These include location tagging, alert notifications, video logging, and a recovery checklist that supports emergency crews.
The company reported a 96.8 percent probability of detection at a distance of 300 metres.
It also stated that ZOE can differentiate between people, small craft, and marine animals such as seabirds.
ZOE is designed to maintain day and night functionality without manual oversight.
Deployment on vessels across maritime and defence sectors
Zelim reported that the ZOE system has already been deployed on a North Sea jack-up rig and a UK-flagged cruise ship.
It is also scheduled to be installed on a naval frigate.
According to the company, ZOE is being trialled with asset operators, ports, and defence agencies worldwide.
It explained that the technology aims to improve survivability in man overboard events.
The company also noted its additional potential for use in preventing collisions and unauthorised water entries.
British Safety Council outlines purpose of award
The British Safety Council explained that its Health and Safety Transformation Award is given to organisations that have used information in new ways to reduce harm.
It added that the award was sponsored by Croner-i and was part of its wider programme of recognising safety performance across sectors.
The Council stated that ZOE was chosen for the award due to its contribution to operational safety in high-risk environments.
It also noted that the shortlisted entries represented a range of industries and international submissions.
The award has been running annually and recognises changes made in health, safety or wellbeing.
Certification process and Lloyd’s Register approval
Zelim stated that ZOE currently holds Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register under ISO 21195.
This standard relates to the performance of man overboard detection systems.
The company added that it expects to complete full type approval in the near future.
It reported that ZOE would become the first system of its kind to hold complete certification under the standard.
The system’s approval process has included trials and third-party assessments to confirm detection capability and operational integration.
Zelim wins British Safety Council award for AI health and safety system: Summary
Zelim has won the British Safety Council’s 2025 Health and Safety Transformation Award.
The award was presented for its automatic man overboard detection system ZOE.
ZOE uses AI and a dataset of over 7 million images.
The system was developed with the US Coast Guard.
ZOE can detect people in the water with 96.8 percent accuracy from 300 metres.
It removes the need for wearables or manual confirmation.
ZOE integrates with vessel systems and automates emergency responses.
It is currently in use on offshore rigs and a cruise ship.
It is scheduled for deployment on a naval frigate.
Trials are ongoing with global maritime and defence organisations.
The award was sponsored by Croner-i.
The British Safety Council stated that ZOE was recognised for operational impact.
ZOE has received Approval in Principle under ISO 21195.
The system is expected to become the first fully type-approved MOB system.