OffshorePing tracks swimmers and surfers where cellular networks end, transmitting live GPS position and emergency alerts to a shore-based monitor with no signal required.
Open water has no cellular coverage. When a swimmer gets into difficulty, there is no reliable way to locate them remotely, and existing tools weren't built with swimmers in mind.
Cellular networks end at the waterline. GSM trackers fail the moment a swimmer goes offshore, exactly where they're needed most.
Rescue services frequently locate missing swimmers only after prolonged searching, when rapid response would have made the difference.
VHF radios are bulky and one-way. Satellite devices cost hundreds of euros. Nothing is built to be worn by a swimmer during training or competition.
"As a swimmer and surfer, I have directly witnessed cases where people went missing in open water, and it took hours to locate them, when minutes mattered." - Luke Coleman, Founder
A wearable device on the swimmer communicates directly with a shore-based monitoring station over long-range radio, infrastructure-free, reliable, and built for the water.
Emergency alert or position update triggered from the wearable, mid-stroke, offshore, no phone needed.
Live coordinates sent over long-range radio, designed for 2–5 km standalone, no cellular infrastructure required.
Onshore monitor logs position, raises alerts, and displays live map for coaches or safety staff.
An acoustic signal on the wearable confirms the message was received, the swimmer knows they're tracked.
| Solution | Range | Cost | Swimmer-friendly | No signal needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VHF Radio | 5–10 km (line of sight) | €100–800 | ✗ Bulky, one-way | ✓ |
| GSM Tracker | Cellular only, fails offshore | €20–80 + SIM | ✗ Fails offshore | ✗ |
| Satellite Device | Global (satellite) | €350–400 + €35–65/month | ✗ Too expensive | ✓ |
| OffshorePing | 2–5 km target (+relay) | €75 device + €5/month | ✓ Cap / goggle / wetsuit | ✓ |
Four attachment configurations, all waterproof, all maintaining antenna orientation, none restricting movement.
Routed across swim cap exterior, secured at both ends. Distributes pressure evenly, stable during all swimming strokes.
Bracket slots onto lateral goggle strap. Device co-located with goggles at rear of head. Zero cap interference.
Rigid clip grips the folded edge of the swim cap. Simple, tool-free attachment and removal.
Zip pocket at upper back of wetsuit. Positions antenna above waterline. Built for surfers at Nazaré, Peniche, and Ericeira.
Portugal-first strategy: 271 FPN-affiliated clubs and 11,000+ registered swimmers, with direct federation access and identified pilot targets.
Devices leased to affiliated clubs — no upfront cost. Driven by liability and duty of care to athletes.
Scalable monitoring tools for patrol and rescue coordination across coastal zones.
Monitor multiple swimmers simultaneously per session from a single shore station.
Remote coastal monitoring for surfers at exposed breaks: Nazaré, Peniche, Ericeira.
TRL 4, technology validated in the lab. Moving to open-water field testing.
Full system validated on US regulated ranges: GPS tracking, emergency alert, and acknowledgement feedback loop all verified end-to-end.
Adapting the validated system for EU/Portugal regulated ranges.
Second hardware iteration, a compact custom board replacing the original prototype.
Provisional applications filed in Portugal (May 2026) and the US, establishing priority for international filing.
Next milestone: TRL 5 validation, including open-water range verification, with pilot swim clubs along the Portuguese coast.
Target: Portuguese swim clubs and triathlon federations in exchange for structured feedback.
RED 2014/53/EU compliance, confirming the EU market entry path.
Swim clubs, triathlon federations, surf schools, maritime safety experts, and investors: we want to hear from you.
Patent pending · INPI Portugal & USPTO · MSc candidate, Bioengineering, University of Porto