(Dartmouth, NS) April 10th, 2008 - MetOcean is pleased to announce the development of our latest product - the I-SPHERE.

The MetOcean I-SPHERE is an innovative addition to the spherical drifter family. The I-SPHERE has been designed and thoroughly tested to track ocean currents and oil spills and to provide environmental data at the ocean’s surface.

The I-SPHERE buoy is truly unique. Alternative to the standard ARGOSPHERE drifter, which uses Argos satellite system for data telemetry, this new generation buoy utilizes the dependable bi-directional Iridium satellite system to communicate and to transmit essential scientific data. Iridium telemetry is the most cost effective means of transmitting data for environmental applications. The Iridium modem will provide our customer with lower transmission costs and an increase in data throughput. The two-way communication will allow for more customized data. Iridium Satellite is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete, real-time, coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions).

The standard MetOcean ARGOSPHERE buoy was developed to meet the requirements of the offshore industry, ocean freight industry, and oceanographic scientific community. The ARGOSPHERE is an expendable, low cost spherical Lagrangian drifter designed to track oil floating on the water and to collect sea surface temperature. The I-SPHERE still holds the same tracking capabilities and sensors as the ARGOSPHERE however; instead the I-SPHERE is equipped with Iridium telemetry. It remains the same robust hull design for effortless deployment and continues to allow easy internal access for battery replacement. Both the ARGOSPHERE and I-SPHERE have proven to be important spill response tools for the Oceanographic and Oil and Gas markets.

For more information about the I-SPHERE Drifting Buoy please contact our sales department at sales@metocean.com.