CHF 1.5 million for Swiss Ocean Tech

The anchoring process – from laying to lifting the anchor – is critical for the safety of crew and passengers and sealife below. Due to its complexity, anchoring is a dangerous operation and thus requires specific skills, routine and a certain degree of mastery, experience and sensitivity to the vessels and water bodies. Gaining these skills is challenging, but Swiss Ocean Tech found a solution.

Founded in 2020 by Thomas Frizlen, the startup partners with leading research and technology organisations to bring safety to anchoring for sailors, ships and water bodies. With a team of eight employees across Europe, the company developed AnchorGuardian, a patented technology that measures the position and absolute movement of a ship’s anchor to minimise the risk of collisions and anchor dragging by providing predictions and immediate alarms when dragging is imminent.

Additionally, AnchorGuardian predicts the anchor hold with early warnings and provides essential information while laying the anchor, at anchor and when lifting the anchor. For the first time, using sensor fusion and sophisticated algorithms, the technology can build a stable dataset of the anchor’s relative and absolute position, providing reliable information over the entire anchoring procedure.

“The focus of our efforts is safe anchoring. For that to succeed, the process has to become simpler. We give captains the information and control they need to set the anchor in the best possible way and monitor it in real time while anchoring. We are taking the principle of anchor watch to the next level.”

Ready for the production phase
Following the successful pilot tests, including one with Superyacht Captain Luke Windle at the end of 2021, the startup is set to enter the next phase, which includes industrialising and kicking off the production of AnchorGaurd and accelerating its market entry in 2023. The proceeds from the investment round will enable this process and grow the team.

“The Pre-Series A investment reflects the continued trust and enthusiasm felt by the investors. I am incredibly proud to have this group of investors who believe in our vision of safe anchoring and are accompanying us on our young journey. Even as a landlocked country, our Swiss investors understand the need for innovation regarding the health of our oceans and the safety of all seafarers. Our strategic partners from the superyacht and shipping industry are invaluable support enriching our team with their insights and expertise”, said Thomas Frizlen, founder of Swiss Ocean Tech.

(Press release/RAN)