November 2005 \\ Back to current issue index

Fiomarine Signs US Defense Contract

Commercial Director John Fiotakis (left) and Technical Director, Mike Shegog

Fiomarine Industries Pty Ltd Commercial Director John Fiotakis (left) and Technical Director, Mike Shegog

The Fiobuoy deployed

Fiomarine Industries Pty Ltd recently signed a contract with US Defense after working with them for five years investigating possible applications for the Fiobuoy® Submersible Marine Marker Buoy and Retrieval System.

The Fiobuoy comprises a robust submersible marine marker buoy and retrieval system specifically designed for military and research applications where sensitive or valuable equipment needs to be deployed underwater, without a tell-tale surface marker.

Fiobuoy® is security coded, computer programmable and deployable to depths of up to 200 metres. Once triggered, either by a pre-set time & date or via acoustic command, the Fiobuoy self-releases from its underwater mooring and floats to the surface to fulfill its marking function.

Partners

Fiomarine has worked with the Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO) on new applications for the Fiobuoy® and its release technology.
The Fiobuoy® has been used by the Australian Defence Force since 1997 and has a reputation as a reliable and cost-aeffective way of retrieving valuable equipment.
Fiobuoys have been sold to several other defence forces and are also being introduced to specialised local and overseas markets.
Fiomarine partnered with DSTO, RAN and Liferaft Systems Australia in the development and production of the Cormorant Lift Bag (CLB), capable of controlled lifting of objects of one tonne at depths of up to 90 metres. The CLB was supplied on time and within budget last August.

Capabilities

Fiomarine can tailor its Fiobuoy® technologies to meet the emerging needs of its clients.
A hollow casing makes it possible for customer’s equipment to be incorporated inside the Fiobuoy® for data-logging or sub-sea monitoring, and even to interact with the internal Release Mechanisms.
Fiomarine is currently developing other versions of the Fiobuoy® including one suitable for deployment by divers.
Fiomarine employs a two-way through-water communication system which has been developed specifically for the Fiobuoy and CLB application. It employs sophisticated spread-spectrum technology, very low power and is security coded.
The Intellectual Property is protected globally.

Fiomarine is a Recognised Supplier to Australian Defence Industry

For further information on Fiomarine Industries Pty Ltd visit www.fiomarine.com or e-mail fiobuoy@fiomarine.com or contact Commercial Director, John Fiotakis on Tel (03) 62726167/Fax (03) 62726264 or e-mail john.fiotakis@fiomarine.com