Swiss Ocean Tech and IFTEST: together for Ocean
Protection
You don’t have to live by the sea to take responsibility for it. This is
exactly the vision shared by Swiss Ocean Tech and IFTEST: creating
solutions through technological innovation and manufacturing excel-
lence that are not only safer, but also make a far-reaching contribut-
ion to sustainability. The result is a collaboration that demonstrates
how Swiss engineering can help shape global standards in maritime
environmental protection.
What does Swiss Ocean Tech do?
Swiss Ocean Tech is a Swiss technology-driven start-up headquartered in Bremgarten, founded in 2020. With its patented solution AnchorGuardian, the company is redefining the standard for safe anchoring and maritime environmental protection.
While conventional anchor alarm systems only evaluate the vessel’s position, AnchorGuardian takes a decisive step further: the system provides precise measurement data directly from the anchor itself and detects critical changes at an early stage. As a result, anchor dragging is identified not only once a dangerous situation has already developed, but at the very first signs of anchor movement.
What problems are being solved?
At first glance, anchoring may seem like a routine manoeuvre, but in reality it is one of the most underestimated risks in everyday maritime operations. An anchor can lose its hold due to changing wind or current conditions, unsuitable seabed surfaces (such as sand, mud, or seagrass), or an insufficient anchor chain length. As a result, the vessel begins to drift — often without being noticed immediately.
The consequences extend far beyond onboard safety: undetected anchor dragging causes severe environmental damage. Seagrass meadows — often referred to as the “lungs of the ocean” — are destroyed, coral reefs are damaged, and centuries-old ecosystems are wiped out. Particularly in the Mediterranean region, this results in enormous ecological and economic losses. At the same time, the risk of serious incidents increases significantly: collisions with other vessels, damage to underwater cables and pipelines, and groundings — in the worst cases even leading to oil pollution. This is exactly where AnchorGuardian comes into play: early warning instead of damage
control. Prevention instead of reaction.
Where does IFTEST come into play?
Turning a great idea into a robust, market-ready, and reliable system requires more than innovation. It requires an engineering and manufacturing partner that actively contributes to technological solutions, supports their development, and helps bring them successfully to market.
This is where IFTEST comes into play. In collaboration with Swiss Ocean Tech, we contribute our industrialization expertise in key areas: from industrialization and rapid prototyping to optimized PCB layouts, structured design reviews, and reliable support throughout the entire development process. The focus is not on changing the technical functionality of the product, but on establishing stable processes, ensuring reproducible quality, and achieving a high level of production reliability. Innovation is not created in the laboratory alone — it proves itself when speed and reliability matter most. Especially in the
development of safety-critical systems, the ability to move quickly while maintaining uncompromising quality is decisive.
Over several years, IFTEST has supported us with exceptional dedication, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to quality. Particularly valuable was their ability to critically challenge our solution and identify key improvements at an early stage.
Swiss precision, reliability, and close proximity create a trusted partnership on which we can build and grow together.
Swiss Ocean Tech Team
For us, these words are a strong sign of trust: true partnership is reflec
ted not only in results, but also in a shared commitment to quality,
speed, and impact.
At a crucial stage of the collaboration with Swiss Ocean Tech, this very flexibility was put to the test:
within just 24 hours of receiving the PCB, a complex double-sided SMD assembly was completed, AOI-inspected, separated on the routing machine, and subjected to a final visual inspection before delivery. Thanks to clearly defined processes, well-coordinated workflows, and our high level of in-house manufacturing expertise, we were able to organize and successfully execute this challenge at very short notice.
What began as a tight time window became a real development advantage — and what started as an idea evolved into a fully functional prototype, ready for the next step.
Especially in safety-critical applications, it is essential that systems not only work, but also remain reliable and scalable over the long term. This is exactly what we stand for at IFTEST — and precisely what makes this partnership with Swiss Ocean Tech so valuable.
Together for maritime safety and environmental protection
Swiss Ocean Tech and IFTEST combine Swiss engineering with global responsibility. While others rely solely on vessel positioning, AnchorGuardian delivers facts directly from the anchor itself. And where innovation alone is not enough, engineering excellence ensures that technology performs reliably in real-world operation. Together against environmental disasters: we provide insight, transparency, and knowledge — while the captain makes decisions with responsibility and foresight for the sustainable protection of our oceans.
Iftest – a partner that reliably leads products to success.
With IFTEST, you receive a tailored solution and an unbeatable ratio of development costs to unit costs. Discover the potential of a future-proof partnership and get in touch with us, you may be surprised by what a collaborative approach can achieve.
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Your contact person
We are here for you and will be happy to answer your questions.
Massimiliano D’Amore
Sales & Marketing Manager, Executive Management
massimiliano.damore@iftest.ch
+41 56 437 37 49