AI & Maritime Heritage – Q&A with Boatshed
Q1: Why is Boatshed interested in using AI for maritime heritage?Boatshed is always looking at ways to embrace technology while preserving the invaluable skills and knowledge that define our maritime community. AI presents an opportunity to document and share traditional maritime expertise, ensuring that skills passed down through generations remain accessible to future sailors, boat owners, and enthusiasts.

Q2: How could AI help preserve traditional maritime skills? AI could act as a digital repository of maritime knowledge, storing information in various formats—videos, audio recordings, written guides, and photographs. By processing this data, AI models could make historical techniques, boatbuilding methods, and sailing skills available to a global audience, free from time or location constraints.

Q3: What kind of data is needed to make this project a success? For AI to effectively capture maritime expertise, it needs diverse and high-quality data, including:

Videos demonstrating boat maintenance, rigging, and sailing techniques.Audio recordings of experienced sailors explaining their craft.Written guides on boatbuilding, navigation, and repairs.Photographs of traditional vessels, equipment, and processes.

Q4: Will contributors retain ownership of their shared knowledge? Yes, absolutely. Sharing knowledge is a personal choice, and contributors would retain ownership of their data. The aim is to create a respectful and collaborative platform where maritime knowledge can be freely shared while recognising its origins.

Q5: How can individuals and organisations get involved? Anyone passionate about preserving maritime heritage can contribute by sharing their knowledge, materials, or expertise. Whether you're a boatbuilder, sailor, historian, or media company, your insights could help shape this initiative. To express interest or discuss collaboration, reach out to Neil HERE

Q6: What role does Boatshed see itself playing in this initiative? Boatshed wants to facilitate discussions and collaborations, bringing together different stakeholders in the maritime community. By leveraging our network and digital expertise, we can help ensure that AI is used in a way that complements traditional skills rather than replacing them.

Q7: What other initiatives are currently preserving maritime heritage? The Britannia Sailing Trust is a great example, using a historic Class 1 smack to teach essential boatbuilding and sailing techniques. Across the UK, various projects focus on passing down maritime traditions, and Boatshed is keen to support and connect with these efforts.

Q8: How can AI balance technological advancement with maritime tradition? The key is ensuring AI serves as a tool for education and preservation rather than a replacement for hands-on experience. AI can provide access to knowledge, but real-world skills will always require practical learning. By combining both, we can maintain a thriving maritime culture while embracing the benefits of modern technology.

Q9: What’s next for this AI and maritime heritage initiative? The next step is gathering interest and input from the community. If enough people are interested, discussions can begin on how to structure the project, collect data, and make this knowledge widely accessible. If you have thoughts or ideas, get in touch with Neil to be part of the conversation.