Quartermaster

Quartermaster operates a distributed maritime sensing network that turns civilian and commercial vessels into monitoring nodes. Its SmartMast product installs on vessels over 20 GT with a mast or superstructure and combines an optical and infrared camera array, dual software-defined radios that capture AIS, ADS-B, VHF and radar signals, onboard AI, and satellite communications.

The website names coast guards, navies, insurers, researchers, and commercial and working fleets as the audience, and says customers get access to HD video, location data and a real-time tracking dashboard. It does not describe pricing or the revenue model.

Founder and CEO Neil Sobin leads the company, with Matt Beck as COO and Steve Ribaudo as CGO. The site reports 600+ sensors deployed across over 25 countries and 400k vessels identified without AIS. Current job listings are in Arlington, VA, with additional roles in New York, London and the Arabian Gulf, mainly for engineering, RF systems, program management and regional launch positions. The founding year is not stated.

Product: SmartMast, a vessel-mounted sensor unit with HD optical and infrared cameras, software-defined radio receivers, onboard AI and satellite communications for maritime monitoring.