Ocean Sonics
Ocean Sonics designs and manufactures icListen smart digital hydrophones and supporting software, serving defense, ocean science, energy, and regulatory customers globally through direct sales and a 25+ country distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersTruro, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ocean Sonics does
Ocean Sonics Ltd. is a Nova Scotia-based designer and manufacturer of smart digital hydrophones used for underwater acoustic monitoring. Founded in 2012 by Mark Wood and Desiree Stockermans, the company commercialized the world's first smart digital hydrophone — originally developed as the 'Big Ears' prototype in 2005 — which processes acoustic data at the source and compresses it in real-time before transmission. The product portfolio centers on the icListen family (HF, AF, and Kayak variants), supported by a modular accessory ecosystem (Smart Node, Acoustic Buoy, GPS Time Sync, battery packs, deployment frames, Ethernet repeaters) and software including the freemium Lucy II array platform, the legacy Lucy software, the Marco network utility, and paid plugins (CODA for harbour porpoise detection, Impact for impulse/exposure analytics, and PAMGuard integration).
The company sells hardware through direct enterprise sales in Canada and through a global exclusive distributor network covering 25+ countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, with software available via direct website download. Revenue streams include hardware sales (quote-based, undisclosed pricing), recurring calibration and repair services, paid software plugin add-ons, and complimentary professional services such as training and field support bundled with hardware purchases. Customers span defense and naval operators, ocean observatories (Ocean Networks Canada, OOI RSN), academic researchers, port authorities (Port of Seattle), and energy sector operators including offshore wind, oil & gas, and tidal energy — all of whom require underwater acoustic monitoring for marine mammal observation, regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessment, subsea asset integrity, and real-time situational awareness. Approximately 80% of materials are sourced from local Nova Scotia vendors and all products are manufactured and calibrated in-house.
Ocean Sonics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ocean Sonics
- Legal name
- Ocean Sonics Ltd.
- Website
- https://oceansonics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ocean Sonics designs and manufactures icListen smart digital hydrophones and supporting software, serving defense, ocean science, energy, and regulatory customers globally through direct sales and a 25+ country distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ocean Sonics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Underwater Acoustic Monitoring Equipment
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI)
Keywords
Where Ocean Sonics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Truro
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ocean Sonics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales — icListen Hydrophones: Ocean Sonics designs, creates, builds, and sells underwater listening technology including icListen smart digital hydrophones (HF, AF, Kayak variants), icTalk smart projectors, and associated hardware accessories. Products are sold through direct sales and a global distributor network. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed for hardware.
- Software — Lucy II (Free) + Paid Plugins: Lucy II array software is provided free of charge for download from the company website. Premium plugins including CODA (harbour porpoise monitoring), Impact (exposure metrics), and PAMGuard integration are sold as add-on purchases. This freemium model drives adoption of the hardware ecosystem.
- Professional Services: Ocean Sonics offers professional services including training (complimentary with purchase), field support (travel or virtual), data analysis, and complete system designs to help customers build and deploy the correct systems for their projects.
- Repairs and Calibration Services: Ocean Sonics provides calibration, repairs, and maintenance services for icListen products. Hydrophones should be serviced every 2 years including calibration and optional battery and memory replacement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Lucy II — Free PC software for hydrophone array management |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CODA Plugin — Paid add-on for harbour porpoise monitoring |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Impact Plugin — Paid add-on for impulse/exposure analytics |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | PAMGuard Plug-in — Paid integration with PAMGuard marine mammal monitoring software |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Ocean Sonics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ocean Sonics designs, manufactures, and sells the icListen family of smart digital hydrophones and the related icTalk smart projectors, along with deployment accessories (buoys, battery packs, cables, frames) and supporting software (Lucy II and plugins). Products capture underwater acoustic data with on-device AI processing and are calibrated to IEC 60565 and IEEE standards. The platform is targeted at defense, ocean science, energy, and regulatory compliance customers who require real-time underwater sound monitoring.
Product overview
Ocean Sonics offers a comprehensive underwater acoustic monitoring platform centered on the icListen smart digital hydrophone family. The core product line includes three hydrophone models (HF for high frequency 10Hz-200kHz, AF for audio frequency 10Hz-12kHz, and Kayak for compact AUV/glider integration), supported by a modular accessory ecosystem including deployment buoys, battery packs, cables, mounting frames, and signal repeaters. The software portfolio comprises Lucy II (flagship multi-hydrophone array software), legacy Lucy, Marco network utility, and three specialized plugins (CODA for porpoise detection, Impact for noise monitoring, PAMGuard for marine mammal monitoring). The icTalk smart projector rounds out the acoustic sensing-transmitting platform. All products are designed, manufactured, and calibrated in Nova Scotia, Canada, with global distribution and 80% local vendor sourcing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- icListen HF Hydrophone High-frequency smart digital hydrophone for broadband underwater acoustic monitoring from 10 Hz to 200 kHz, available in 3500m and 6000m depth ratings. Targets defense acoustic ranges, ocean observatories, and energy compliance customers.
- icListen AF Hydrophone Audio-frequency smart digital hydrophone covering 10 Hz to 12 kHz in 900m and 3500m depth ratings, optimized for low-frequency monitoring such as marine mammal vocalizations and ambient noise studies.
- icListen Kayak Compact smart digital hydrophone designed for low-power, scalable deployments on gliders, AUVs, and small platforms where size, weight, and integration are critical.
- icTalk HF Smart Projector Calibrated underwater acoustic projector synchronized with icListen hydrophones, generating tones, chirps, clicks, and sweeps from 10-200 kHz for use in acoustic testing and signaling workflows.
- Lucy II Software Flagship PC software for managing icListen hydrophone arrays, providing sound source detection, localization, and tracking with spectrograms and waterfall plots. Free to download with optional paid plugins.
- Talk Assistant Software Configuration software for icTalk smart projectors that designs, uploads, schedules, and triggers acoustic outputs such as clicks, tones, and sweeps.
- Marco Network Utility Software Network discovery utility that automatically detects icListen hydrophones on a network and connects users to each hydrophone's web portal for status checks and management.
- CODA Plugin Paid Lucy II add-on plugin providing automated harbor porpoise click detection, click-train grouping, and behavior classification (Orientation, Foraging) to reduce manual analysis effort.
- Impact Plugin Paid Lucy II add-on plugin for real-time exposure metrics (Peak, Peak-to-Peak, cumulative SEL, splRMS) and impulse-event analytics, used for underwater noise compliance work.
- PAMGuard Plug-in Paid plug-in enabling real-time integration of icListen hydrophones with PAMGuard, the industry-standard software for marine mammal monitoring.
- Launch Box Portable, weather-resistant wireless deployment accessory for icListen hydrophones that converts Ethernet to WiFi, adds GPS time sync, and provides up to 48 hours of rechargeable battery runtime.
- Battery Pack Extended-deployment battery system (up to 72 D-cell batteries) for autonomous icListen hydrophone deployments of 30-135 days depending on chemistry.
- Rechargeable Power Bank Rechargeable lithium battery accessory providing approximately 2 days of runtime for a single icListen hydrophone, depth-rated to 200m and air-travel friendly.
- Acoustic Buoy Quiet surface buoy system supporting up to 6 icListen hydrophones with heave plate isolation, GPS time synchronization within one microsecond, and real-time WiFi/radio connectivity.
- Smart Node (Hydrophone Mux) Modular array hub supporting up to 6 hydrophone inputs, enabling multi-hydrophone deployments at varying depths with consistent power and timing over a single Ethernet connection.
- GPS Time Synchronization Module GPS-based precision time synchronization device providing sub-microsecond PPS pulses to align icListen hydrophones too far apart for cable connection in array deployments.
- Ethernet Repeater Daisy-chainable waterproof Ethernet repeater that extends icListen cable reach beyond the standard 70m limit, up to 400m across four units.
- Smart Cable Combined power, data, and synchronization cable that links multiple hydrophones in a single streamlined connection to reduce cabling complexity.
- Extension Cables Underwater Ethernet cables for real-time icListen hydrophone connections, available in 200m and 3500m depth ratings with various lengths for array deployments.
- Pistonphone Calibration Device Portable field calibration device with coupler for verifying icListen hydrophone calibration outside the laboratory.
- Hydrophone Guards Stainless steel protective frames (Heavy Duty with T-Handle / Flange variants and Light Guard) shielding icListen hydrophone elements from physical damage.
- Subsea Tripod Three-legged stainless steel and aluminum seabed platform with adjustable arm separations (0.5, 0.75, 1.0m) for stable multi-hydrophone deployments on uneven seabeds.
- Inline Hydrophone Frame Hydrodynamic marine-grade stainless steel frame with rubber vibration-isolating fittings for inline icListen hydrophone deployments, including Acoustic Buoy integration.
- Fyrefin Tow Fish Tow body that isolates icListen hydrophone recordings from towing vessel noise while maintaining a stable set depth, optimized for survey-speed marine mammal and seismic work.
- FyreFin3D Float Collar Positive buoyancy collar using DeepTec foam to keep hydrophones neutrally or positively buoyant, with a hard outer shell rated to 1500m depth and acoustic-release compatibility.
- Float Collar Buoyancy collar that deploys a hydrophone at a fixed depth from the seabed using only 10kg of ballast, providing one of the quietest deployment options for optimal acoustic data.
- Training Services Complimentary training delivered with every product purchase or rental to ensure customers understand how to operate icListen hardware and Lucy II software.
- Field Support Services On-site or virtual deployment support where Ocean Sonics staff assist with system deployment and help ensure high-quality acoustic data collection.
- Data Analysis Services Custom acoustic data analysis services along with calibration, repair, and upgrade support, leveraging in-house pre-shipment calibration of every icListen hydrophone.
- Complete System Design Services Consulting service designing custom icListen system configurations to meet project-specific underwater acoustic data collection requirements.
- Repair and Calibration Services Repair, calibration, and maintenance services for icListen products with an RMA-based intake process and a recommended 2-year service interval.
Quantifiable outcome
- Deployed by Ocean Networks Canada across coastal BC as part of the Smart Oceans program, including new observatory sites
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Ocean Sonics
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ocean Sonics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability4 records
Feature9 records
Ocean Sonics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
33 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Oneka TechnologiesflagshipOneka Technologies is leading a $4.1 million Canada Ocean Supercluster project to develop AI-powered monitoring for sustainable wave-powered desalination technology. Ocean Sonics is a project partner contributing acoustic and IoT monitoring capabilities. Ocean Supercluster is contributing $1.6 million with project partners covering the remainder. The initiative aims to deliver the world's first commercial-scale, long-term demonstration of wave-powered desalination with AI-driven acoustic and IoT monitoring capabilities targeting global water scarcity challenges.
- Canada Ocean SuperclusterflagshipCanada's Ocean Supercluster announced a $4.1 million AI-powered monitoring project for wave-powered desalination, contributing $1.6 million in funding. Ocean Sonics participates as a technology partner providing acoustic monitoring expertise for the initiative.
- Innovobot LabscoreInnovobot Labs is a project partner in the $4.1M Canada Ocean Supercluster wave-powered desalination project alongside Ocean Sonics and other partners.
- Lengkeek Vessel EngineeringcoreLengkeek Vessel Engineering is a project partner in the $4.1M Canada Ocean Supercluster wave-powered desalination project alongside Ocean Sonics and other partners.
- SOI FoundationcoreOcean Sonics partners with the SOI (Student Oceanography Investigation) Foundation to empower young researchers with advanced hydrophone technology. The partnership supports ocean education and next-generation scientist development.
- AtlanteccoreAtlantec is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Brazil, providing local sales, support, and service for Ocean Sonics products in the Brazilian market.
- C.A. Richards and Associates InccoreC.A. Richards and Associates Inc is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor covering Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana in the USA.
- EnamorcoreEnamor is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Poland, providing local sales and support for ocean acoustic products.
- Fastwave Communications PTY LtdcoreFastwave Communications is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Australia, providing local sales and support for hydrophone products.
- NJord XcoreNJord X is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Sweden, onboarded as the newest distributor partner.
- REECO TECHcoreREECO TECH is Ocean Sonics' newest distributor in Vietnam, providing local sales and support for acoustic monitoring products.
- Techworks MarinecoreTechworks Marine is Ocean Sonics' distributor in Ireland, providing local support for acoustic monitoring solutions.
- Shoshin CorporationcoreShoshin Corporation is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Japan, providing local sales, service, and support for hydrophone products in the Japanese market.
- Integrated System LtdcoreIntegrated System Ltd is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in China, providing local sales and support for underwater acoustic products.
- BentoscoreBentos is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Chile, providing local sales and support for acoustic monitoring solutions.
- SubtopcoreSubtop is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in France, providing local sales and support for hydrophone products.
- SidmarcoreSidmar is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Spain, providing local sales and support for underwater acoustic monitoring solutions.
- ScanmaticcoreScanmatic is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Norway, providing local sales and support for acoustic monitoring products.
- Seabed B.VcoreSeabed B.V is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor covering the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
- J. Bornhöft Industriegeräte GmbHcoreJ. Bornhöft Industriegeräte GmbH is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Germany, providing local sales and support for hydrophone products.
- MepecocoreMepeco is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Italy, providing local sales and support for underwater acoustic solutions.
- Fetch EngineeringcoreFetch Engineering is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor covering Reunion Island, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, and Seychelles.
- Gin-AcoreGin-A is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in South Korea, providing local sales and support for hydrophone products.
- GEOTINDOcoreGEOTINDO is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Indonesia, providing local sales and support for underwater acoustic monitoring solutions.
- Monitoring and Information System Tech LtdcoreMonitoring and Information System Tech Ltd is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Taiwan, providing local sales and support for acoustic monitoring products.
- Pan India Consultants Pvt. Ltd.corePan India Consultants Pvt. Ltd. is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in India (Gurgaon), providing local sales and support for hydrophone products.
- Spry TechnoconcoreSpry Technocon is Ocean Sonics' distributor covering Gurugram and Delhi in India.
- Cyprus SubseacoreCyprus Subsea is Ocean Sonics' exclusive distributor in Cyprus, providing local sales and support for acoustic monitoring solutions.
- Subsea 2020coreSubsea 2020 is Ocean Sonics' distributor providing sales and support for underwater acoustic products.
- PIER (Port of Halifax)coreOcean Sonics joined The PIER in the Port of Halifax, expanding global maritime partnerships. The PIER is a maritime innovation hub that provides Ocean Sonics with access to the broader maritime ecosystem and collaborative opportunities.
- Ocean Networks CanadaflagshipOcean Networks Canada is a major customer and technology partner operating ocean observatories across coastal British Columbia. They have been working with Ocean Sonics since the first prototypes and continue to expand their hydrophone network with icListen HF smart hydrophones across observatory sites as part of the Smart Oceans program.
- Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Regional Scaled Nodes (RSN)flagshipThe OOI Regional Scaled Nodes (RSN) selected icListen HF hydrophones for their very broadband requirements with good noise floor characteristics and wide dynamic range. The hydrophones satisfied these demanding requirements at reasonable cost and passed intensive first article tests.
- PAMGuard (Acoustic Software)corePAMGuard is the industry-standard software for marine mammal monitoring. Ocean Sonics provides an official PAMGuard plug-in that makes PAMGuard software completely compatible with all Ocean Sonics instruments, enabling real-time streaming and detection capabilities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ocean Sonics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ocean Sonics social profiles
Digital presenceOcean Sonics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Ocean Sonics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ocean Sonics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Ocean Sonics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ocean Sonics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ocean Sonics
What does Ocean Sonics do?
Ocean Sonics designs, manufactures, and sells the icListen family of smart digital hydrophones and the related icTalk smart projectors, along with deployment accessories (buoys, battery packs, cables, frames) and supporting software (Lucy II and plugins). Products capture underwater acoustic data with on-device AI processing and are calibrated to IEC 60565 and IEEE standards. The platform is targeted at defense, ocean science, energy, and regulatory compliance customers who require real-time underwater sound monitoring.
Is Ocean Sonics a public or private company?
Ocean Sonics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ocean Sonics founded?
Ocean Sonics was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ocean Sonics based?
Ocean Sonics is headquartered in Truro, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Ocean Sonics make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales — icListen Hydrophones are the primary driver. The others are software — Lucy II (Free) + Paid Plugins, professional Services and repairs and Calibration Services.
Does Ocean Sonics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ocean Sonics.
What industry is Ocean Sonics in?
Ocean Sonics's product category is Underwater Acoustic Monitoring Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAD, Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems, with a secondary code of IMAJAJAI, Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3823.