Location information and control capability for each buoy is integrated in Orbimage's OrbMap software which allows the fishermen to see and track each buoy's location on top of SeaStar ocean information maps.

Partnering with Orbimage on the OrbBuoy line are Airborne Technologies (ATI), an Alaska based company specializing in ocean remote sensing technologies, and SecTrack, a worldwide supplier of airtime and Inmarsat D+ modems with service through all four Inmarsat regions.

ATI is providing expertise with the overall buoy design and assembly, while SecTrack is working with Orbimage to provide the two-way messaging system for the buoys.

"Our new D+ OrbBuoys incorporate the latest communication technologies and are proving to be more reliable and cost effective than other competing D+ buoys and conventional radio buoys that are still in use by the fishing industry," said Chris Wilson, Director of SeaStar Sales and Marketing.

"With onboard GPS and reliable satellite communications, captains can easily locate and recover their OrbBuoys, saving search time and fuel."

"Our OrbBuoys have been in development and sea-trials for over three years while we refined the design and the components to reflect what captains of high-seas fishing vessels wanted," said Greg Hammann, Senior Director of Oceanographic Solutions.

"With successful sea-trials we now have a buoy product line that is technologically very sophisticated yet economical and easy to use and recover. Orbimage's custom buoy programming, ATI's design and manufacturing capabilities, and Orbimage/SecTrack's message handling systems make this the ideal and most reliable drifting buoy solution in the marketplace."

Related Links
Orbimage
Airborne Technologies
SecTrack
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express