Antisink: A simple solution changing boat safety, now offered by DSS Protection
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
"Imagine yourself on a boat out at sea. Suddenly, the water can take a turn for the worse," says Geir Karlsen, gazing seriously at his TED talk audience, "A strong gale can pick up and fill your boat with dark and ice-cold water from the North Atlantic. You're not prepared for the shock that comes when your body hits the icy-cold water."
Karlsen says the idea for a device to prevent vessels sinking came from a tragic experience in his youth when five people went out for a day of fishing and never came back. He gave his TED talk in Arendal, Norway, in December 2025, eight years after founding Antisink, a system to prevent vessels taking on too much water and being lost to the deep. Hard cases containing airbags can deploy in minutes when exposed to water. The tough kevlar airbags self-inflate in under 60 seconds.
The cases are compact, impact-resistant, waterproof and flame retardant, and can also be manually activated if required. It can be installed by a boat owner just as easily as a boat builder. No external connections are required and the CO2 cylinder and trigger are easy enough to refill and replace. It can even be repacked after being used.
DSS Protection, headquartered in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is leading Canadian distribution and promotion of Antisink. Orders are coming in quickly.
“Since its launch in 2023, Antisink has already prevented multiple vessel losses globally," says Katelyn Baker, Chief Marketing Officer of DSS Protection, "and we’re now seeing increasing traction in the Canadian market as awareness builds.”
Antisink is so simple it can be adapted to many uses. It can be installed in fishing boats, pleasure craft, or anything else that might encounter deep water. It has been tested on snowmobiles, and is available for drones. It targets not only the immediate life‑safety need of preventing loss of vessel and cargo but also the downstream financial and ecological repercussions of sunken craft. It can be used to raise boats that have already sunk.
Antisink is available in multiple configurations, from compact self‑contained units tailored to smaller recreational boats to scalable, modular installations for larger commercial vessels. Installation is internal and unobtrusive; when water triggers the system, buoyancy elements deploy to stabilize the hull, buying critical time for crew evacuation, towing, or onboard repairs. Practical videos showing an All‑in‑One system, a large‑boat configuration, and installation processes provide a quick visual overview for operators and integrators.
DSS Protection reports early adopters internationally and growing inquiries across Canada as boat builders, commercial operators, and owners focus on preventative measures rather than reactive recovery.
“We’re seeing growing interest across both recreational and commercial segments," says Baker, "particularly from boat builders and operators looking to integrate preventative safety systems at the build stage rather than reacting after an incident.”
The ability to embed Antisink during construction makes it an attractive option for yards aiming to deliver higher safety standards and differentiate their boats.
Insurers and underwriters are closely watching the technology. DSS Protection has engaged with insurance providers to explore how onboard preventative systems can reduce claims severity and support proactive risk management. Talks are ongoing, but there is clear interest in solutions that lower the frequency and cost of loss and salvage operations.
Applicable across varying vessels, Antisink offers a low‑maintenance, high-reliability safety boost. For mariners and operators seeking to minimize risk, protect their vessels and people, and reduce environmental harm from sunken vessels, Antisink presents a simple, practical option. DSS Protection’s Dartmouth base serves as a hub for support, demonstration, and deployment across the Canada.
Antisink is a simple safety device to help people have fun on the water and come home at the end of the day. "What began as a backyard project is now a globally certified product," he says to listeners, "my mission is to keep your boat trip safe, so every trip can end with joy and not regret."
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