SOS for small boats.

The SeaGuard Guardian from the front left: orange body, dark protective frame, solar panel, antenna and SOS button.

the problem

Most of Sri Lanka's small fishing boats are not tracked at sea. If something goes wrong out there, nobody sees it.

91%

of Sri Lanka's fishing boats sit outside vessel tracking.

Our calculation from the Fisheries Statistical Bulletin 2024 (49,271 marine boats) and IOM (about 4,200 tracked vessels).
225,480

people work as fishers at sea in Sri Lanka.

Fisheries Statistical Bulletin 2024.

we asked the coast guard

No distress system for small boats.

Nothing today is built for boats this size.

Help usually starts too late.

Rescue tends to begin well after something goes wrong.

A boat can go down in minutes.

The officers told us it can take as little as three to five.

the unit

how it works

Press the button and the alert is passed on until the Coast Guard sees it.

01

Your boat

Press the SOS button.

02

Relays

The alert is passed on from one to the next.

03

Shore station

It reaches land.

04

Coast Guard

They see it and set out.

details

The SOS button with its clear lid open.SOS buttonOne press sends the alert.
The solar panel on top of the unit.Solar panelTops up the battery from daylight.
The side port with its cap hanging below on a tether.Side portThe cap hangs on a tether so it stays with the unit.
The SOS button under its closed clear lid.Lid closedA clear cover keeps the button from being pressed by accident.
Made forSmall fishing boats
TriggerOne SOS button

A low cost SOS beacon for small fishing boats in Sri Lanka.

The Guardian in charcoal on a flat orange field.
PowerSolar panel on top
MountStrap to a post or screw to a deck
CS-21
SeaGuard GuardianIIT Sri Lanka2026

taken apart

Exploded view of the Guardian with the shell lifted off the base plate.
The main assemblies of the Guardian laid out in a single row.

mounting

Post

Two straps go through the side slots and around the post.

The Guardian on a vertical post, held by straps.
Rear view: two straps pass through the side slots and around the post.
Close view of a strap threaded through a slot and wrapped around the post.

Deck

Screws go through the corner holes into the wood.

The Guardian screwed to a wooden deck plank.
Closer view of the unit screwed to the plank.
A screw with washer through a corner hole and support sleeve into the wood.

the team

Group CS-21

Nethuka GamaarachchigeGroup leader
Anusara Dilmith
Sanuthi Rathnayake
Milash Perera
Rivisha Marambage

SeaGuard is a student concept prototype from IIT Sri Lanka (group CS-21). It is not a certified safety device and has not been tested for use in water. Do not rely on it for rescue.