--- title: News | Maritime Guardian description: Maritime Guardian | --- [![Dark\_yellow-fill\_POS\_powbyFI](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Dark_yellow-fill_POS_powbyFI.png?width=350&height=49&name=Dark_yellow-fill_POS_powbyFI.png)](https://oceanautonomy.no?hsLang=en-us) - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news?hsLang=en-us) - ABOUT - [CLUSTER AND TEAM](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/clusterandteam?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERSHIP](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/membership?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/members?hsLang=en-us) - PROJECTS - [Dark Drones](https://oceanautonomy.no/dark-drones?hsLang=en-us) - [FI Ocean Space Incubator](https://fi-nor.no/en/oceanspaceincubator/) - [Frostabåten](https://oceanautonomy.no/frostab%C3%A5ten?hsLang=en-us) - [Maritimt studentsenter Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/maritimt-studentsenter-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS - Mennesket i framtidens havromsoperasjoner](https://oceanautonomy.no/nb/project_midas?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS Academy](https://midas-academy.no/) - [ROC - Remote Operation Centres for next-generation maritime autonomy](https://oceanautonomy.no/project_roc-remote-operation-centres-for-next-generation-maritime-autonomy?hsLang=en-us) - [Strategisk forum Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/no-no/project-strategisk-forum-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [Testination](https://testination.io/) - [XLRTR - Accelerate Dual-Use Technology for Multi-domain Operations](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/xlrtr?hsLang=en-us) - Completed projects - [AGATI - Adriatic Green Autonomous Transport Initiative](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_agati?hsLang=en-us) - [DIGIFJORD](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_digifjord?hsLang=en-us) - [FAST - Flexible Autonomous Smart Transport](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_fast?hsLang=en-us) - [FLEX FERRY](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_flexferry?hsLang=en-us) - [MATIN - The Croatia – Norway Marine Technology Innovation network](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_matin?hsLang=en-us) - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news?hsLang=en-us) - ABOUT - [CLUSTER AND TEAM](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/clusterandteam?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERSHIP](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/membership?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/members?hsLang=en-us) - PROJECTS - [Dark Drones](https://oceanautonomy.no/dark-drones?hsLang=en-us) - [FI Ocean Space Incubator](https://fi-nor.no/en/oceanspaceincubator/) - [Frostabåten](https://oceanautonomy.no/frostab%C3%A5ten?hsLang=en-us) - [Maritimt studentsenter Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/maritimt-studentsenter-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS - Mennesket i framtidens havromsoperasjoner](https://oceanautonomy.no/nb/project_midas?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS Academy](https://midas-academy.no/) - [ROC - Remote Operation Centres for next-generation maritime autonomy](https://oceanautonomy.no/project_roc-remote-operation-centres-for-next-generation-maritime-autonomy?hsLang=en-us) - [Strategisk forum Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/no-no/project-strategisk-forum-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [Testination](https://testination.io/) - [XLRTR - Accelerate Dual-Use Technology for Multi-domain Operations](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/xlrtr?hsLang=en-us) - Completed projects - [AGATI - Adriatic Green Autonomous Transport Initiative](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_agati?hsLang=en-us) - [DIGIFJORD](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_digifjord?hsLang=en-us) - [FAST - Flexible Autonomous Smart Transport](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_fast?hsLang=en-us) - [FLEX FERRY](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_flexferry?hsLang=en-us) - [MATIN - The Croatia – Norway Marine Technology Innovation network](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_matin?hsLang=en-us) [Get in touch](https://26558673.hs-sites-eu1.com/contactus?hsLang=en-us) Posts about # Maritime Guardian ## [Reducing drownings at sea with autonomous safety technology](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/reducing-drownings-at-sea-with-autonomous-safety-technology) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Nov 26, 2025, 3:48:02 PM [**Les saken på norsk**](https://fi-nor.no/skal-redusere-drukninger-til-sjos-med-autonom-teknologi/) **Autonomous safety technology aims to reduce maritime drownings: Meet Maritime...** [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/reducing-drownings-at-sea-with-autonomous-safety-technology) ## [Lifesaving innovation enters OAC: Maritime Guardian welcomed as new member](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/lifesaving-innovation-enters-oac-maritime-guardian-welcomed-as-new-member) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Nov 6, 2025, 10:37:28 AM [Les saken på norsk](https://fi-nor.no/livreddende-teknologi-far-fart-i-fi-ocean-space-incubator/) Maritime Guardian has joined Ocean Autonomy Cluster, strengthening the cluster’s... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/lifesaving-innovation-enters-oac-maritime-guardian-welcomed-as-new-member) ## On the same subject ### [Breach VR: Reality is cross-platform](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/breach-vr-reality-is-cross-platform) [Aida Refvik Angell](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/aida-refvik-angell) [VR](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/vr), [Breach VR](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/breach-vr) ### [The Ocean Space Incubator in Trøndelag: Will strengthen Norway’s position in ocean space technology](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/the-ocean-space-incubator-will-strengthen-norways-position-in-ocean-space-technology) [Birgit Thorsen](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/birgit-thorsen) [Uncategorized](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/uncategorized) ### [Autonomimiljøet i Midt-Norge får støtte til millionprosjekt](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/autonomimiljoet-i-midt-norge-far-stotte-til-millionprosjekt) [malin](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/malin) [Uncategorized](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/uncategorized) ##### About Ocean Autonomy Cluster Ocean Autonomy Cluster is awarded The ECEI BRONZE Label “Striving for Cluster Excellence” [![Bronze label](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Bronze%20label.png?width=180&height=70&name=Bronze%20label.png)](https://www.cluster-analysis.org/benchmarked-clusters)   ##### Links - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news) - ABOUT - PROJECTS - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news) ##### Contact us [Frode@fi-nor.no](mailto:Frode@fi-nor.no) +47 918 45 969 Skippergata 14 - 7040 Trondheim-NORWAY [Subscribe for newsletter](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1drRpuCknT9Gj2pUOE-9pVgft8sx) ![Dark\_yellow-fill\_POS (3)](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png?width=322&height=45&name=Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png) [![FI\_logo\_stor](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/FI_logo_stor.png?width=41&height=41&name=FI_logo_stor.png)](https://fi-nor.no/) ![FI - redigert logo](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/FI%20-%20redigert%20logo.png?width=174&height=58&name=FI%20-%20redigert%20logo.png)    ©2026 Copyright . All rights reserved. [Privacy policy](https://oceanautonomy.no/privacy-policy?hsLang=en-us) - - - ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Les saken på norsk Autonomous safety technology aims to reduce maritime drownings: Meet Maritime Guardian and the Njord system. Maritime Guardian is developing a breakthrough autonomous safety system designed to save lives at sea and to bring maritime emergency response into the autonomous era. With its flagship technology Njord, the company aims to drastically reduce man-overboard fatalities by automating detection, alerting and rescue operations. CEO Kim-Ruben Våge and CTO Jon Kristian Vinge Anzjøn. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Twice close to drowning — now building technology to prevent it “Less lives lost at sea” is the company's mission, rooted in co-founder Kim-Ruben Våge’s own experiences. Having lived the everyday reality of a seafarer, he has felt both the cold and the immense forces of the ocean, and the constant risk that follows. Våge began his career as a fisherman on small vessels and trawlers, and twice he came close to drowning. “It’s an incredibly uncomfortable feeling,” he recalls. These experiences, combined with later service in the Armed Forces and roles in logistics, public administration and IT, sparked the idea for an autonomous rescue system. Today, Maritime Guardian is based at Skatval, with Våge and CTO & co-founder Jon Kristian Vinge Anzjøn leading development together with design partner Inventas, also an OAC member. The company is currently in pre-sales and expects commercial launch in 2026..Kim-Ruben Våge presenting Njord and Maritime Guardian at Kvale Seafood Week in Bodø. A three-step autonomous safety chain Njord is built to respond in the critical minutes after an accident at sea. The system combines smart sensors, vessel connectivity and autonomous rescue devices: Personal sensor – a small-sized device worn on the body Hub onboard – connects to vessel systems and shore emergency services Autonomous rescue unit – deployed to recover the person in the water The system is designed to automatically detect man-overboard situations and other unsafe conditions, and to send immediate alerts to crew and emergency services through established communication channels. It operates both at close range and over long distances, ensuring continuous connectivity and rapid notification regardless of location. Maritime Guardian has also entered into an agreement with AKVA group, Helgeland Plast, for development. Strong demand, industry backing Both maritime industry stakeholders and Norway’s Accident Investigation Board have recommended that such systems be adopted by the maritime sector. The product’s dual-use potential also positions it for applications in defense, where autonomous logistics and emergency response are rapidly advancing. Primary target industries include fisheries and aquaculture, followed by ports and eventually offshore energy. Kim-Ruben Våge pitching at Trykktanken. Photo: Simon Almås Winner of Trykktanken 2025 Maritime Guardian came out on top in Trykktanken (The Steam Tank), an intensive 4–5 week accelerator program run by by CoFounder, Kunnskapsparken Helgeland and the ACT Cluster, where entrepreneurs work closely with a team of experts to refine their concept and business model. Through the program, the company developed a tailored development plan, a sharpened investor pitch, and a concrete roadmap for the next stages of growth. In the final, they shared the stage with strong contributions, and the victory marks an important quality stamp for both the technology and the team behind it. “This is something we are incredibly proud of,” says Kim-Ruben Våge. Tuva Okkenhaug, Co-Founder, Jøran Brede Busch, Kunnskapsparken Helgeland, Kim-Ruben Våge and Joachim Hjartøy, Kunnskapsparken Helgeland. Photo: Simon Almås Collaboration and cluster membership Maritime Guardian discovered Ocean Autonomy Cluster through the Defence Conference/Forsvarskonferansen in September. The company sees the cluster as a strategic landing zone for cooperation, technology testing and knowledge-sharing. “It’s not just about receiving value, we want to contribute,” says Våge. “Entrepreneurship can be lonely. OAC is a place to spar, innovate and lift each other.” The company is also joining the FI Ocean Space Incubator, where it will receive support to accelerate technology development, communication, 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. The company is also collaborating with innovation ecosystems including KUPA, Norce, KPA and KPB, and will represent Norway at Enforce TAC as part of the national pavilion through NORDSEC. Ingrid Margrethe Sandnes, FI Ocean Autonomy Cluster, Kim-Ruben Våge and Jon Kristian Vinge Anzjøn, Maritime Guardian. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "26/11/2025", "datePublished" : "26/11/2025", "headline" : "Reducing drownings at sea with autonomous safety technology", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Maritime%20Guardian%20Rescue%20Buoy-1.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/reducing-drownings-at-sea-with-autonomous-safety-technology", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Les saken på norsk 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 LinkedIn", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "06/11/2025", "datePublished" : "06/11/2025", "headline" : "Lifesaving innovation enters OAC: Maritime Guardian welcomed as new member", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Maritime%20Guardian%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20%2885%29.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/lifesaving-innovation-enters-oac-maritime-guardian-welcomed-as-new-member", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ```