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EONsea: AI-Powered Underwater Drones for Safer and Smarter Boat Inspections

Best practices

12 June 2025

EONsea: AI-Powered Underwater Drones for Safer and Smarter Boat Inspections

Regenerative Green Transition

Transformative Digital Transition

Proximity and social economy

+13 more

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EONsea is a social enterprise based in Andalusia, Spain, offering innovative underwater inspections for boats using ROVs and Artificial Intelligence. The solution enables non-invasive, in-port inspections that reduce costs, increase safety, and help detect potential damages early. EONsea's platform provides real-time access to inspection data for boat owners and port authorities. The enterprise also explores the humanitarian potential of underwater drones in rescue missions and disaster response. 

Authors

Editorial Team: Diesis

Topics
Geographical descriptors

Spain

Organisation Type

SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)

  • Thematic area

    • Regenerative Green Transition

    • Transformative Digital Transition

  • Interlinkages with other sectors

    • Proximity and social economy

    • Digital

  • Action areas and keywords

    • Blue Economy

    • Boosting digital skills by - and in the social economy

    • Circular Economy

    • Creating financial incentives and supportive regulation for green and circular social economy business models

    • Data Maturity and data driven business models

    • Data sharing, Data management & Code of Conduct

    • Digital Platforms

    • Digital social innovation

    • Reinforcing Business to Business collaboration for greener and circular value chains

  • Ecosystem focus

    • Social economy

  • Scope of activity

    • Local/neighbourhood

    • Regional

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EONsea is an Andalusian-based tech cooperative combining robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform boat maintenance. Founded in Seville by engineers David and Camila, the company was born from a shared passion for technology and nautical innovation. Their aim is to reduce the economic, environmental, and operational impact of vessel maintenance through underwater inspections carried out with ROVs—remotely operated vehicles—supported by intelligent diagnostics.

The EONsea solution simplifies the inspection process by carrying it out directly at the port without the need to move or dry-dock the vessel. On the agreed date and time, EONsea’s team visits the port with the necessary equipment, gathers data, and produces a comprehensive digital inspection report. AI models help identify issues such as oxidation, fouling, sacrificial anode wear, mechanical damage, cracks, and paint erosion. Reports are accessible online through a user-friendly platform, where boat owners and authorised ports can monitor inspection history and track the vessel’s condition over time. Importantly, each user can only access reports related to their own vessel, ensuring privacy and data security.

The system is designed for efficiency and scalability. Only one operator is required per ROV, which keeps personnel costs low. The simplicity of the process enables frequent inspections, enhancing predictive maintenance without risking human divers. EONsea’s approach not only boosts vessel safety but contributes to sustainability in the maritime sector.

Beyond boat maintenance, EONsea also highlights the humanitarian potential of underwater drones. These devices are proving essential in search and rescue operations, especially in flood or natural disaster scenarios where visibility is poor or access is limited. Equipped with thermal cameras and sonar, they can locate survivors and assess structural damage. Their use in delivering medical supplies and food to inaccessible zones further expands their relevance in humanitarian aid.

Underwater drones are becoming increasingly valuable thanks to their autonomy, low operational costs, and ability to navigate in extreme conditions. As AI continues to evolve, the potential for even smarter and more adaptive drone systems grows. EONsea remains committed to leading this frontier, leveraging technology to serve both maritime efficiency and human safety.  

 

To find out more about Digital Transformation for a sustainable blue economy visit the Bluedots project

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