SafeWaters

SafeWaters is a mobile application designed to provide ocean-goers—including surfers, spearfishers, divers, and beachgoers—with real-time, AI-driven intelligence about ocean conditions and safety. The app consolidates several critical data streams into a single interface, enabling users to make informed decisions before entering the water. Its core functionality revolves around four main modules: shark activity forecasts, surf reports, underwater visibility estimates, and tide charts. The shark risk forecast module uses a peer-reviewed artificial intelligence model that analyzes historical shark encounter data, environmental variables, oceanographic patterns, and seasonal trends to generate a seven-day prediction of shark activity at any beach worldwide. According to the platform, this model achieves 83% accuracy, providing a probabilistic risk score rather than a binary “safe” or “dangerous” label. Users can view a color-coded risk level for their chosen beach and adjust their plans accordingly. This feature is particularly valuable for spearfishers and surfers who spend extended periods in the water and may encounter sharks in areas where baitfish or seal populations are present. The surf report module delivers detailed assessments of wave quality, including wave height, swell period, swell direction, wind speed and direction, as well as tide phase. It also includes board recommendations based on the current conditions—for instance, suggesting a shortboard for steep, hollow waves or a longboard for mellow, rolling swells. These reports update in real time, relying on data from buoys, satellite observations, and local weather stations. Users can filter by region, compare multiple breaks, and view historical trends to anticipate how conditions will evolve over the comin