What Seaward Automation does

Seaward Automation LLC is a Connecticut-based, privately held marine technology company founded by John Digertt (CEO) and Brian Pracon (COO), both former co-founders of the cannabis-hardware startup Hashatron. The company builds Command™, a unified vessel automation platform that integrates digital switching, vessel monitoring, automation logic, and real-time system data across NMEA 2000, J1939, and industrial communication protocols through proprietary hardware. Command is offered as a core platform extended by purpose-built modules — Fuel Command (fuel transfer and leak prevention), Sea Command (seawater systems), Water Command (freshwater systems) — and an AI-powered radar overlay called Proteus Core, delivered via a partnership with Tocaro Blue.

Seaward sells through a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct engineering-led sales, on-the-water demonstrations at major boat shows, a certified system integrator network (e.g., LIS Custom Boatworks) for retrofit installations, and — most strategically — OEM embedding of Command into new vessel builds at the factory floor, with one OEM partner signed in 2025. The company targets sportfishing vessels, commercial fleet operators (tugs, barges, workboats), sailing and recreational owners, marinas, and retrofit/refit customers; pricing is quote-based, project-by-project, with no public tiers and an implied mix of hardware revenue and potential recurring software/remote-monitoring subscriptions via Starlink/LTE. Operating status is active but early-stage: the platform went from prototype at FLIBS 2024 to live commercial installations in 2025, with R&D headcount doubling and a heavy trade show calendar, but no disclosed revenue, funding, or institutional investors.

Name

Seaward Automation

Legal name

Seaward Automation LLC

Website

https://seawardautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Seaward Automation builds Command™, a proprietary hardware-and-software platform that unifies digital switching, engine integration, and real-time vessel monitoring for sportfishing, commercial fleet, and OEM boatbuilder customers across the U.S. marine market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Automation Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Automation, Control & PLC/SCADA Systems (IMAJAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI), Automation, Controls & Instrumentation Engineering (IAS, PMS, Control Logic) (IMAJAGAG), Marine Electrical Installation, Commissioning & Field Services (IMAJAJAL), Electrical, Automation & Control Systems Repair (TLAKAKAG)

Keywords

• Marine automation systems
• Vessel monitoring platforms
• Digital switching solutions
• Marine system integration
• Boat electronics integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Command™ Platform (Hardware + Software): Seaward Automation generates revenue through the sale and deployment of its Command™ platform, which includes proprietary hardware modules and associated software. The platform is sold for both OEM integration into new vessel builds and retrofit installation on existing vessels. Pricing is quote-based, tailored to vessel type, system scope, and integration complexity.
2. Software/Subscription Services: The Command platform provides real-time remote monitoring and control capabilities, suggesting ongoing software services, remote access subscriptions, or SaaS-style recurring revenue for continuous platform access, monitoring dashboards, and remote diagnostics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Seaward Automation builds and sells Command™, a unified vessel automation platform that integrates digital switching, vessel monitoring, automation logic, and real-time system data on proprietary hardware communicating across NMEA 2000, J1939, and industrial protocols. The platform is delivered as proprietary hardware modules plus embedded software, sold to boat builders (OEM), commercial fleet operators, and individual vessel owners for both new-build integration and retrofit installation.

Product overview

Seaward Automation offers Command™ as the core platform — a unified operating system for modern vessels that integrates digital switching, vessel monitoring, automation logic, and real-time data across multiple communication protocols (NMEA 2000, J1939, industrial protocols). The platform is extended through specialized Command modules: Fuel Command for fuel management and transfer, Sea Command for seawater systems, and Water Command for freshwater systems. Additional capabilities include Proteus Core for AI-powered radar object detection. The company serves three primary solution areas: OEM Integrations (factory-installed automation for boatbuilders), Custom & Refit Solutions (retrofit automation for existing vessels), and Commercial Solutions (fleet management for commercial operators).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Command™: The Operating System for Modern Vessels - an all-in-one vessel integration platform that unifies digital switching, vessel monitoring, automation logic, and real-time system data into a single platform.

Products and services

• Command™ Platform All-in-one vessel integration platform built on proprietary hardware that unifies digital switching, vessel monitoring, automation logic, and real-time system data across NMEA 2000, J1939, and industrial communication protocols. Includes remote monitoring, centralized alarms, predictive maintenance, and full system control for sportfishing, commercial, sailing, and recreational vessels.
• Fuel Command

Quantifiable outcome

• Command platform successfully operated through 1,200 nautical miles of nonstop offshore conditions on a 66-foot Viking without interruption, validating continuous offshore operation, shifting conditions, and full-system integration.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• First OEM Partner (unnamed)flagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2025Seaward Automation secured its first OEM partner in 2025, validating the demand for a unified automation layer that helps boatbuilders deploy smarter, safer, and more connected vessels right out of the factory. Described as 'the first of many' and a major milestone for the Seaward ecosystem.
• Savvy NavvycoreTechnology or IntegrationSeaward Automation announced a new Command™ integration with Savvy Navvy, bringing a more intuitive and seamless navigation experience to the helm. The integration expands the Command ecosystem with Savvy Navvy's modern, user-friendly navigation solution, supporting the broader shift in marine technology toward systems that reduce friction, simplify decision-making, and create a cleaner experience at the helm.
• LIS Custom BoatworkscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLIS Custom Boatworks provided fabrication and installation support for the Viking 66' Command Platform retrofit, including custom aluminum mounting plate fabrication and full system installation. This partnership demonstrates the company's reliance on certified system integrators for field deployment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Siren Marine: Siren Marine provides connected boat monitoring, tracking, and remote control via cellular/satellite — directly comparable to Command's remote-monitoring, alarm, and predictive-maintenance positioning for both recreational and light commercial fleets.
• Yacht Controller: Yacht Controller specializes in remote docking and integrated yacht control systems. It competes in the same vessel automation category, particularly premium sportfishing and motor-yacht helm automation, with overlapping buyers (captains, owners, retrofitters).
• Maretron: Maretron builds NMEA 2000 vessel monitoring and control products (tank, engine, electrical monitoring) and is the closest direct comparable — overlapping in marine instrumentation, sensor aggregation, and multi-protocol integration on recreational and commercial vessels.

Broad incumbents

• Garmin Marine: Garmin is the dominant marine electronics incumbent with a broad portfolio (MFDs, radar, autopilots, sensors). It overlaps with Command's helm, monitoring, and automation capabilities through its OneHelm and EmpirBus integration ecosystem, making it the principal competitive threat.
• Raymarine (FLIR): Raymarine, part of FLIR/Teledyne, builds marine displays, radar, sonar, and integrated helm systems. It competes with Command on premium sportfishing and motor-yacht automation and digital switching.
• Navico (Simrad, Lowrance, B&G): Navico owns Simrad, Lowrance, and B&G, covering the majority of sportfishing, commercial, and sailing electronics. Its broad installed base and OEM relationships make it a direct, scaled competitor in vessel monitoring and integrated control.
• Furuno: Furuno is a long-established marine electronics manufacturer with strong commercial and fishing-vessel presence in radar, sonar, and navigation. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose commercial fleet business overlaps Command's commercial-solutions segment.
• Mercury Marine (SmartCraft): Mercury's SmartCraft integrates engine, steering, and vessel data on boat helms. As an OEM propulsion incumbent moving into digital switching and monitoring, it competes with Command's engine-integration and unified-architecture value proposition.

Emerging players

• Aigean Networks: Aigean Networks builds marine networking products (routers, remote access, Starlink/LTE integration) for connected boats. It competes in the same vessel-connectivity layer and is a relevant emerging peer in Command's remote-access stack.
• GOST (Global Ocean Security Technologies): GOST specializes in marine security, monitoring, and remote surveillance for yachts. It overlaps Command's remote-monitoring and alarm features in the premium yacht / sportfishing retrofit market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seawardautomation
• Facebookfacebook.com/61552052473277

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Seaward Automation