Norwegian wristbands can save lives at sea
The wristband communicates with a network of sensors installed by Dimeq on board the vessel. The safety system, called EyeD, is designed for the maritime industry, including fisheries, aquaculture and offshore operations.
Saltwater in their veins
The Bremanger-based company grew out of the founders’ own experience at sea, says CEO and founder Ronny Bakke.
‘My father, Audun, has more than 40 years’ experience as a captain in the cruise and offshore sectors, and I have worked on seismic survey vessels for 12 years. We have both experienced serious incidents on board.’
Dimeq developed and patented the system because conventional wireless signals do not work well in the steel environment of a vessel. If someone falls overboard, the system immediately raises the alarm automatically. In an emergency, the captain can quickly see where the crew are, and the muster takes place automatically instead of relying on a manual roll call when every second counts.
Ronny's father, Audun Bakke, experienced a fire on board in 2010, while Ronny experienced a man-overboard incident in the Gulf of Mexico in 2015, when a colleague was in the water for three hours before being rescued. No one on board had noticed that he was missing.
‘This is personal for us,’ says Bakke.
The solution is being built in Bremanger by people with seawater in their veins.
Patented solution
Wireless signals do not work well at sea, and this is the challenge Bakke and Dimeq have set out to solve.
‘We have solved the challenge of communicating through steel. Wireless signals do not work well, and cabling is expensive. We have developed our own technology that provides reliable data communication throughout the vessel,’ says Bakke.
They have patented the solution and tailored it to the people who will use it.
‘We know what an emergency actually feels like, and we have built the system for the people who will use it, not for a data sheet,’ he says.
He says they will also continue to develop the system for smaller boats.
An important supporter
Bakke highlights Innovation Norway as an important supporter of the company.
‘The best example is the innovation project funded by Innovation Norway, where we carried out a pilot project with an international offshore company. The system was installed on board and tested in full-scale operation.’
The project resulted in an agreement with the company, which was signed in August.
«This is exactly how this type of funding should work: reducing risk during the development phase to secure paying customers. For a technology company in Bremanger developing hardware and software from the ground up, this kind of support is crucial.»
Our EVP in Vestland, Ingar Valvik, is delighted and impressed by what the company in Bremanger has achieved.
‘Dimeq is a good example of how developing and commercialising new technology takes time, but systematic work can deliver results. Over several years, the company has developed and validated the solution in close collaboration with customers and the market,’ he says.
Focus on commercialisation
The young company has now begun commercialisation.
– EyeD has been in commercial operation on board M/S Vestfart since May 2025, with 100 per cent reported uptime. The system is also in continuous operation on board a larger offshore vessel, where the pilot project led to a commercial agreement.
The company recently won the Nor-Fishing Innovation Award for 2026. The jury highlighted its level of innovation, commercial relevance and proven market potential.
– Our goal is a complete safety platform for the entire maritime industry, from large vessels to small fishing boats and fish-farm pens.
Bakke believes that safety is an investment, not a cost.
‘Every year, people lose their lives at sea, many of them in incidents where having a clearer overview just minutes earlier could have made all the difference. The technology to change this is now available.’