Capability profile

Satellite-connected drifting and search-and-rescue buoys

Collect position, sea-surface temperature and drift data through iSLDMB and environmental drifter products, then return observations over Iridium for search and rescue, spill response and ocean monitoring.

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Drifting buoy, datum marker and ocean-tracking systems

What it enables

Core features

NATO A-size iSLDMB with GPS, sea-surface temperature and bidirectional Iridium telemetry
Aircraft or ship deployment for search-and-rescue datum marking
Vendor-listed iSLDMB endurance up to about 15 days depending reporting frequency
iSPHERE, iSVP and research drifter variants for environmental monitoring
Current USCG iSLDMB call orders under a five-year BPA

What supports this profile

Iridium iSLDMB product profile (opens in a new tab)
Iridium Communications · official company product
Iridium Communications supports MetOcean Telematics update isldmb drifter capability applications 2 as: Oceanographic observation
MetOcean Telematics Ltd. - Iridium Partner Directory (opens in a new tab)
Iridium Communications Inc. · official organization profile
True North Map derives this bounded screening leaf from the cited premise. capabilities.1.technicalTags.4: datum marker. Evidence boundary: Taxonomy and applications are derived from the independently listed current buoy family. Source scope: Independently identifies Dartmouth development and manufacturing, Iridium VAR status and current manufactured products Hecto, iSLDMB, iSPHERE, iSVP, iTrac and STREAM+.
Using surface drifters to characterise the southern North Sea (opens in a new tab)
Ocean Science · reputable industry publication
Peer-reviewed researchers report twelve MetOcean surface drifters remained operational for at least 68 days in the tested configuration.
W8485-268868 iSLDMB Service ACAN (opens in a new tab)
Department of National Defence via CanadaBuys · procurement notice
The cited record directly supports this bounded public leaf. capabilities.1.features.4: Proposed proprietary refurbishment of 21 iSLDMB-related units. Evidence boundary: The 21-unit refurbishment remains a proposed ACAN requirement. Source scope: Names MetOcean as the pre-identified supplier for proposed refurbishment of 21 iSLDMB-related units because of proprietary technical data.
USCG iSLDMB call 70Z03826FD0000019 (opens in a new tab)
USAspending.gov · award or contract
USAspending records the second 2026 USCG iSLDMB call for USD 940,010.
iSLDMB search-and-rescue buoy (opens in a new tab)
MetOcean Telematics · official company product
MetOcean Telematics supports MetOcean Telematics update isldmb drifter capability features 0 as: NATO A-size iSLDMB with GPS, sea-surface temperature and bidirectional Iridium telemetry
USCG iSLDMB call 70Z03826FE0000021 (opens in a new tab)
USAspending.gov · award or contract
USAspending records the first 2026 USCG iSLDMB call for USD 940,010.
USCG iSLDMB blanket purchase agreement 70Z03826AE0000002 (opens in a new tab)
USAspending.gov · award or contract
USAspending.gov supports MetOcean Telematics update isldmb drifter capability features 4 as: Current USCG iSLDMB call orders under a five-year BPA
USCG iSLDMB call 70Z03826FD0000023 (opens in a new tab)
USAspending.gov · award or contract
USAspending records the third 2026 USCG iSLDMB call for USD 470,005.
METOCEAN DATA SYSTEMS LTD contract K3D33-220101/001/KIN (opens in a new tab)
CanadaBuys · award or contract
This source supports one stated premise in the composite public leaf; the complete leaf depends on the cited source set. capabilities.1.maturity: Iridium identifies current manufactured buoy products and CanadaBuys records a competitive federal buoy contract; the DND refurbishment ACAN remains proposed proprietary work.. Evidence boundary: Independent partner and awarded-contract evidence support a fielded commercial buoy family. Source scope: Competitive open-bidding buoy contract awarded to MetOcean Telematics Limited, total CAD 632,523.99 including amendments, expiring 2026-03-31.
Brazilian Navy iSLDMB maintenance procurement (opens in a new tab)
Brazilian Naval Commission in Washington · award or contract
The Brazilian Navy records returning two iSLDMB-FAT-AS units to MetOcean for maintenance.

Public sources cited · Facts and assessments kept separate · Human review

Satellite-connected drifting and search-and-rescue buoys

What it enables

Core features

Defence and security uses

What sets it apart

Evidence of maturity

What still needs verification

Continue from the capability to the wider record

Organizations

Mission and ecosystem paths

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What it enables

Core features

Defence and security uses

What sets it apart

Evidence of maturity

What still needs verification

Continue from the capability to the wider record

Organizations

Mission and ecosystem paths

Your weekly briefing on Canadian defence

Take the reviewed record into the conversation ahead.