Barnacle Systems
BRNKL is for boaters who need to check on their vessel remotely from their smartphone, tablet or computer. It's like a home security system for your boat.
Finalist for:
Innovative Excellence (Hardware), Emerging Leader of the Year (Brandon Wright)
Interviewee: Brandon Wright
What’s your company’s story?
On a dark and stormy January night in 2017 our founder, Brandon Wright, discovered his boat had broken anchor and run aground in Mill Bay, BC. After recovering the vessel, he scoured the market for a product that would allow him to check-in on his boat, similar to how you can check-in on a ‘smart home’. He identified a gap in the marine market and sprung to action. Barnacle Systems was incorporated in July 2017 and from that point on the development of the ‘smart home for your boat’ began.
Who do you work with? What are some interesting projects you’re involved in?
Barnacle Systems has developed their boat security and monitoring product for consumers and has partnered with groups such as the World Cruising Club, who help boaters cross the Atlantic Ocean or sail around the world. These boaters can now leave their vessel in remote countries and still have the ability to check on their boat!
What are you most proud of in the work that you do?
Our product, BRNKL, is helping prevent boats from sinking at dock. 70% of all boats that sink will sink at the dock, which results in fuel, oil, fiberglass and other foreign objects entering the marine ecosystem. We have already prevented one 48-foot sailboat from sinking at a dock during a storm, which saved many gallons of fuel and oil from entering the ocean.
If your team had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Homegrown by Zach Brown Band – Being a marine technology company in Victoria, BC, means that we’re far from the action (Florida, San Diego, etc), but we are a scrappy group of Canadians with “everything we need and nothing that we don’t” in order to be successful in this market!
What are some hopes and dreams for your company?
When you think of ‘boat security’ you think of Barnacle Systems!
Why is Victoria a great spot for your organization?
We are in the heart of one of the best cruising grounds in the world! Not only do we get to develop an amazing tech product here in Victoria, but we can test it out on sailboats, powerboats and fishing boats in our own back yard.