The MetOcean Telematics’ iSLDMB is an innovative, rugged, and compact A-size Self Locating Datum Marker Buoy designed to work on the truly global Iridium satellite network. The iSLDMB™ was designed and tested to meet the stringent performance requirements of coastguards for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in the open ocean. The iSLDMB™ design is based on the proven CODE/Davis style oceanographic surface drifters.

The inexpensive and expendable drifter is equipped with several important pieces of technology, including an Iridium bi-directional satellite transmitter, sea surface temperature sensor, and a GPS receiver. Due to the urgency of SAR situations, the iSLDMB is able to communicate critical data in real-time to the end-user with Iridium satellite services. Robustly designed, the iSLDMB™ is air certified and can be deployed from water vessels, helicopters, fixed-wing, and rotary-wing aircraft. Depending on the required data transmission rate, the drifter can experience an operating life between 15-120 days.