MetOcean Telematics has been awarded a five-year blanket purchase agreement to provide the United States Coast Guard with its specialized Iridium Self Locating Datum Marker Buoys.
The agreement focuses on the supply of the Iridium Self Locating Datum Marker Buoy, commonly referred to as the iSLDMB. This technology has been utilized by coast guards globally for over two decades to provide a cost-effective and reliable solution for search and rescue operations. As a core user of the technology, the United States Coast Guard utilizes the iSLDMB to decrease overall search times by deploying the units via aircraft directly into a region of interest. This capability assists in saving lives at sea while reducing operational costs and increasing safety for personnel.
By deploying several buoys in a suspected event location, the Coast Guard can reduce the number of vessels, aircraft, and personnel required to travel to the site. Each buoy serves as a smart-buoy, equipped with an Iridium satellite transceiver, GPS, a light flasher, and sensors for both air and sea surface temperature. These sensors provide vital real-time data from the top one meter of the ocean surface, which is a critical measurement parameter for accurately detecting people or assets lost at sea.
The integrated Iridium transceiver enables two-way communication between search and rescue operators and the buoys. Using the secure LiNC data management system, operators can send bi-directional over-the-air commands to the units. This capability is essential for conserving battery life during prolonged events or when a buoy enters a specific area of interest.
Tony Chedrawy, CEO of MetOcean Telematics, commented, “We are pleased to be in a position to support the search and rescue efforts of the United States Coast Guard. This partnership has spanned several decades, and it is a true testament of the reliability and steadfastness of the MetOcean iSLDMB. We look forward to supporting the USCG and other Coast Guards with their SAR buoy operational requirements for many years to come.”
MetOcean Telematics operates its research, development, and production facilities from its corporate headquarters in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The company is a prominent global Iridium Satellite Value-Added Reseller, specializing in state-of-the-art data acquisition and end-to-end telematics solutions for the defense, security, and oceanographic sectors. Beyond search and rescue, the iSLDMB technology is utilized by navies, environmental agencies, and oil and gas companies worldwide to support safety and logistical operations.
