Dartmouth, NS – January 31, 2023 – COVE’s Digital Harbour: Seabed to Space will digitally monitor the Halifax Harbour with an integrated system incorporating data sourced from stationary and mobile platforms located underwater, on the water’s surface, on land, in air, and via satellite. It will provide visualizations and interpretation tools to a breadth of commercial and other operational users to make informed qualitative decisions about activities in, on, or near the harbour.
As part of the initial phase of Digital Harbour, COVE has partnered with CarteNav, a Nova Scotia-based software company specializing in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission software, to advance the research, development, and commercial value of above-the-surface marine-based technologies.
“Digital Harbour revolutionizes the marine sector. For the first time, it creates opportunities for the public and private sectors to access integrated real-time data related to the environment, biology, and port traffic and uses, to make better decisions and create opportunities and partnerships to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning solutions,” said Melanie Nadeau, CEO, COVE. “Halifax’s dense cluster of innovative ocean and aerospace companies paired with naval, commercial, research, and recreational activities that occur simultaneously in a constrained physical harbour space make it the optimal location for a project of this scope.”
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is providing COVE with a non-repayable contribution of $497,706 for phase one of Digital Harbour: Seabed to Space. This phase of development will focus on a front-end engineering design and furthering the proof of concept with stakeholders. The contribution is being provided through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
“As one of the world’s largest and deepest natural harbours, the Halifax Harbour is a hub for commercial activity. This project is the first step to creating a system that collects and analyzes data from seabed to space to help users make important operational, logistical, security and lifesaving decisions in real time,” said Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth – Cole Harbour. “Partnerships like this one between COVE and CarteNav showcase Atlantic Canada’s capacity for world-leading innovation – creating new opportunities and enhancing the region’s competitive advantage.”
The ability to monitor marine areas cost-effectively and deliver commercially relevant data-based solutions is desirable to several regions worldwide. With a successful deployment in the Halifax Harbour, led by global ocean tech leaders at COVE, Digital Harbour will revolutionize industry-centred global ocean sensing and ocean data applications for public and private sector users.
“At CarteNav, we are thrilled to partner with COVE on the Digital Harbour initiative. This project is an important step for Atlantic Canada’s marine industry, providing real-time data and insights for the public and private sectors starting right here in our backyard,” said Nick Edwards, Vice President & General Manager of CarteNav. “The ability to monitor the Halifax Harbour from seabed to space will be a testament to the region’s community of world-class technology companies, and we are honoured to be a part of it. With the help of COVE and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, we are excited to see this project’s potential to challenge how we think about ocean monitoring and data applications globally.”
Digital Harbour: Seabed to Space builds upon Stella Maris, COVE’s multi-sensor seabed platform located 10 metres below the surface and 100 metres from the docks at COVE, and COVE’s SmartATLANTIC buoy located in the Halifax Harbour.
Stella Maris is a low-cost and easily accessible way for ocean technology companies to conduct product development, verification, and commercialization to get their products to market faster. Users can remotely monitor, control, and configure equipment on the platform from a shoreside operations centre, and access real-time ocean data and video.
SmartATLANTIC buoys support operational efficiency, situational awareness, and safety in the marine environment and provide unprecedented support to the country’s coastal and ocean management efforts.
About COVE
COVE is a world-leading innovation centre and global tech hub with a mission to create the world’s next commercial and revolutionary tech advances. With wharves, machine shops, in-water labs, co-working space, programming, and access to talent, it’s the only place that has everything a marine tech company needs to grow and where new ventures prosper. COVE brings people, ideas, industry, and research together to enable our community and members to develop new products and services. COVE’s founding partner is Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) under the National Shipbuilding Strategy Value Proposition.
www.coveocean.com
About CarteNav
CarteNav, established in 2002, develops ISR Mission Software for security, safety, economic, and environmental operations. The team has built its reputation on embracing challenges others may avoid, such as integrating with the world’s most innovative sensors that extend the operator’s capabilities far beyond the status quo – achieving ISR capabilities for threats that are complex and without boundaries. And with 600+ customer installations in over 60 countries, CarteNav’s ISR Mission Software is built to be highly adaptable for meeting today’s diverse operational requirements.
AIMS-ISR is CarteNav’s mission system software that enhances situational awareness and improves mission effectiveness on airborne, land-based, and maritime platforms. By processing and managing imagery and data from a variety of sensors, AIMS-ISR provides the operator with real-time augmented reality mapping on a local operating picture. Learn how AIMS-ISR powers today’s multi-role ISR solutions for operators tackling today’s unique special missions at: cartenav.com
About ACOA
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) works to create opportunities for economic growth in the region by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada. ACOA also plays a pathfinding role to help people and organizations take advantage of resources and develop new partnerships.
The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program creates the right conditions to start and grow businesses in Atlantic Canada. Through REGI, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is helping businesses and non-profit organizations develop a strong, dynamic and inclusive economy.
Media Contacts
COVE
Leslie Munro
Communications Manager
leslie.munro@coveocean.com
902-266-2685
CarteNav
Trevor Bradley
Director of Marketing
trevor.bradley@cartenav.com
902-817-5233
ACOA
Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca