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Maritime Guardian has joined Ocean Autonomy Cluster, strengthening the cluster’s capabilities within autonomous safety solutions for the maritime and offshore sectors.

The company is developing a fully autonomous rescue system designed to reduce drownings at sea by ensuring rapid and automated response in man-overboard situations.

Founded by former fisherman, IT professional, and military logistics specialist Kim-Ruben Våge from Lofoten, Maritime Guardian brings practical experience and cutting-edge innovation to the cluster.

A key inspiration for the company has been its close connection to the maritime environment, with founder Kim-Ruben Våge having personally experienced the extreme situations that seafarers face in their daily work.

Våge’s own near-drowning incidents at sea inspired the development of the solution, now in pre-sales and expected to enter the market in 2026.

Bringing life-saving autonomy technology into the cluster

The system, called Njord, will automatically detect and respond when a person falls into the water, first by alerting authorities and crew, then by stopping nearby vessels, and ultimately deploying an autonomous floating unit for rescue.

“We don’t just want to gain value from Ocean Autonomy Cluster, we want to contribute through network, experience and strategic sparring,” says Våge.

“It's important to have partners to grow with. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, and OAC provides a strong arena for collaboration.”

Maritime Guardian first connected with OAC during Defence Conference Forsvarskonferansen in September, and will also be joining the Norwegian pavilion at Enforce TAC through NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster in Februar 2026.

The company is also joining the FI Ocean Space Incubator, where it will receive support to accelerate technology development, commercialization and strategic partnerships within the ocean innovation ecosystem.

“The opportunities in Testination, with the Trondheim Fjord as a testing arena, are also highly relevant for us,” says Våge.

Ingrid Margrethe Sandnes, Kim-Ruben Våge and Jon Kristian Vinge Anzjøn. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

“We look forward to supporting Maritime Guardian in their further development. This is ocean technology that saves lives – and a great example of the power of Norwegian innovation when experience meets technology,” says Ingrid Sandnes, Head of FI Ocean Space Incubator.

Ocean Autonomy Cluster welcomes Maritime Guardian as a new member and looks forward to collaborating on technologies that increase safety at sea.

Do you want to know more?

Contact Kim-Ruben Våge, CEO Maritime Guardian
kim@maritimeguardian.no 
maritimeguardian.no 
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