GMV, a key participant in technological innovation project for Maritime Rescue

Multinational technology firm GMV will play an essential role in the project known as the Integrated Innovation Program for Maritime Rescue, or iSAR. This is an ambitious program led by Spain’s Maritime Rescue and Safety Society (Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima or SASEMAR) and it will allow that public entity to strengthen its status as a leading international provider of search and rescue services, while also improving maritime security and fighting pollution.

To execute the iSAR program, SASEMAR will make use of Camcopter S‑100 unmanned helicopters provided by the Austrian company Schiebel. The aim is to further develop maritime search and rescue (SAR) capabilities by achieving a higher level of automation. Schiebel’s Camcopter S‑100 will incorporate advanced sensors that can detect vessels in distress and drifting objects, locate pollution sources in the water and air and identify explosive atmospheres.

Schiebel will be relying upon GMV to provide the plug and play network infrastructure, which will allow for real-time communications between maritime vessels and aircraft on the high seas and coordination centers on land.

The project is based on implementing innovative solutions, on the maritime vessels and aircraft as well as at the coordination centers. This is being done by incorporating the latest technologies for communications and connectivity, along with smart sensors, artificial intelligence and new platforms. This combination will produce a powerful response system for maritime emergencies, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of surveillance operations and the ability to react to emergency situations on the high seas. It will also address a range of needs related to search and rescue services and for detection of spills, hazardous substances and objects that represent navigational hazards.

With a budget of €20,977,920, the iSAR project is being partly funded by Spain’s Ministry of Transportation, Mobility and the Urban Agenda, with 85% of the funding also coming from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through more than €17 million in assistance granted to Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation.

A groundbreaking project

The iSAR project includes three challenges. The first is related to developing a mission system, or systems, for platforms on aircraft and maritime vessels. This is based on a series of smart sensors that can detect the presence of vessels in distress or objects that represent navigational hazards, both during daylight hours and at night. The second challenge consists of developing high-performance unmanned aircraft with as much range and autonomy as possible.

The third challenge, for which GMV will be entirely responsible, is to establish an information network by integrating the mission systems and a smart connectivity system with adaptation for stations on land. GMV will be developing the command and control systems for the coordination centers, as well as for the mobile units (consisting of three ships, one airplane, and one helicopter). All of these systems will also be connected through a satellite communication network, so that interconnection can be maintained at all times.

In early October, SASEMAR presented the iSAR project in Barcelona. In addition to the presence of managers from GMV, some of the notable attendees at that event included the Spanish Secretary-General of Transportation and Mobility, María José Rallo; the Director-General of the Spanish Merchant Marine and Chair of SASEMAR, Benito Núñez Quintanilla; and the Director of SASEMAR, José Luis García Lena.

As explained by José Prieto, Manager of Business Development and Institutional Relations for GMV’s Defense and Security sector, «this is an innovative project that will become a point of reference for other national and international agencies. GMV will be applying its know‑how and experience in areas such as command and control systems and the merging of data and artificial intelligence». As a pioneering project at the worldwide level, it is expected that the iSAR project will become an international reference for developing and applying new technologies for maritime search and rescue operations, as well as for the fight against pollution of the seas. As the project goes into operation, the amount of time it takes to locate ships in distress will be notably reduced. The ability to detect polluting substances at sea will also be enhanced, and communication will be facilitated among the various units participating in responses to emergency situations.