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BoatChecks Secures Innovate UK Grant to Advance its Digital Maritime Compliance Platform

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BoatChecks Secures Innovate UK Grant to Advance its Digital Maritime Compliance Platform image

BoatChecks, the UK-based maritime compliance and operations platform developed by SAB Software, has been awarded a prestigious Innovate UK grant to accelerate the development of its digital vessel management system for small commercial craft.

The funding, secured through Innovate UK , part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will enable BoatChecks to scale up its SaaS platform. The funding was awarded to SAB Software for its pioneering solution as it delivers high-impact innovation, together with a solid strategy to generate considerable economic benefit for the UK.

BoatChecks help operators of vessels under 24 metres ensure compliance, safety, and operational efficiency in line with Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations.

"We are thrilled to receive support from Innovate UK," said John Peacock, BoatChecks’ Founding Director. "This funding will allow us to expand our feature set, improve onboard usability, and deliver even greater value to operators of smaller commercial vessels, a sector that often lacks cost-effective, fit-for-purpose and robust compliance tools."

BoatChecks already supports users across the UK maritime sector, including operators of workboats, passenger vessels, aquaculture service boats, and harbour vessels. Its current features include digital documentation storage for safety certificates and SOPs, maintenance scheduling and defect tracking, crew certification monitoring and onboarding records, voyage and fuel logging, and onboard mobile functionality for low-connectivity environments.

The Innovate UK grant will be used to accelerate development of new tools including training records, dynamic risk assessments, live condition monitoring, and enhanced analytics, creating a more integrated compliance ecosystem for vessel owners and fleet managers.

This announcement follows BoatChecks’ partnership with UK fleet operator and port services provider, Williams Shipping, which has adopted the platform across its operational fleet, citing significant gains in safety assurance and crew accountability.

"This grant reflects the growing recognition that smaller vessel operators need modern, scalable tools to stay compliant and safe at sea," added John Peacock. "Our goal is to ensure the same digital transformation happening in large shipping is accessible to smaller fleets, without the complexity or high costs."

Innovate UK (IUK) provides targeted sectors with expertise, facilities and funding to test, demonstrate and evolve and realise the potential and to accelerate business growth.

For more information, visit www.boatchecks.co.uk.

ABOUT BOATCHECKS

Founded in 2024, and headquartered in the UK, BoatChecks, developed by SAAS specialist, SAB Software.

Helping operators of commercial vessels under 24 metres, BoatChecks ensures and supports compliance, safety, and operational efficiency in line with Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations, and other regulatory bodies.

BoatChecks’ customers span operators of workboats, passenger vessels, aquaculture service boats, and harbour vessels. Find out more at www.boatchecks.co.uk.

ABOUT INNOVATE UK

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is creating a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations.

Innovate UK (IUK) provides targeted sectors with expertise, facilities and funding to test, demonstrate and evolve their ideas, driving UK productivity and economic growth. Join the IUK network and communities of innovators to realise the potential of your ideas and accelerate business growth. Innovate UK: inspiring business innovation.

Keep up to date - Please follow BoatChecks on LinkedIn.

For further information and to arrange an interview please contact Hannah Kent Colls, Director, at Watermark Communications.   e: hannah@watermarkcomms.com t:+44 (0)7876 541876.

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