When someone goes missing in the water, time is everything. Yet until recently, search and rescue teams were forced to rely on outdated tools such as goggles, poles, dive teams, and sonar systems mounted on boats that can take hours to set up. In an emergency, those delays can mean the difference between life and death.
Enter AquaEye, a handheld sonar device that dramatically accelerates search and rescue efforts. Designed to be deployed in seconds and capable of scanning an area the size of a football field in under a minute, AquaEye is changing the way responders around the world search for missing persons in water.
An Archangel Network portfolio company, AquaEye (formerly known as VodaSafe) is the brainchild of Carlyn Loncaric, a former lifeguard and engineer who witnessed firsthand the limitations of traditional water rescue tools:
“It drove me crazy that the only tool we had to find somebody in an open body of water was a pair of goggles.”
AquaEye replaces outdated, manual methods with AI-assisted sonar imaging, enabling search teams to identify the location of a missing person with unmatched speed and accuracy.
From Concept to Critical Rescue Tool
The idea for AquaEye was born out of frustration, but its execution is grounded in rigorous engineering. The handheld device emits sonar waves into the water and uses AI algorithms to detect the unique signatures of human bodies beneath the surface. Results are displayed in real-time on the device’s screen, allowing rescuers to rapidly scan and search without needing divers or bulky equipment.
Unlike traditional sonar systems, which are often mounted on boats, require significant setup time, and demand a high degree of technical skill, AquaEye can be used by a single responder waist deep in the water along the shore. It’s waterproof, rugged, easy to operate, and built for emergency scenarios.
This leap in usability means lifeguards, fire departments, police, military units, and volunteer teams now have access to powerful rescue capabilities that were once out of reach.
Real-World Impact, Global Adoption
Since launching, AquaEye has made a significant impact on the global stage. The company has sold over 1,300 units across more than 50 countries, with customers ranging from small community fire departments to elite military teams.
In North America alone, AquaEye is used by over 400 organizations, including high-profile clients like LA County Fire, the U.S. Navy SEALs, and the U.S. Air Force, which recently closed a tender with the company. It’s also deployed across Europe, India, Indonesia, and Japan, where the need for fast, effective water rescue solutions continues to grow.
The AquaEye device is now used in a wide range of environments—from flood zones and oceans to lakes, rivers, and quarries. Its growing adoption reflects the increasing global demand for tools that reduce rescue and recovery times.
A Breakout Year: Launching AquaEye Pro and Command Hub
2025 marked a major milestone for the company with the launch of AquaEye Pro, a next-generation product designed for more complex, dynamic rescue environments.
“When I first started the company, the intent was to sell to lifeguards and to camps, and we had no idea how big the market was. Pro allows [users] to operate in many different environments. It also allows the product to network with our app, as well as our command hub, which allows customers to map their area of search.”
— Carlyn Loncaric, Founder and CEO of AquaEye
The Command Hub, scheduled for release shortly, takes AquaEye’s capabilities to the next level. While Pro scans in the water, Command Hub displays those scans onshore in real time—enabling coordinated, strategic rescue operations.
“As scans are being done in the water, a commander can be standing on shore, and because those scans can be overlaid, they can actually command the search from afar. Pro turns our product into a system, which I think they really need.”
— Carlyn Loncaric, Founder and CEO of AquaEye
The team is also exploring the future of underwater rescue through a new ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) application, in partnership with SEAMOR Marine.
“We’ve got a grant with SEAMOR Marine, so we’re working on an ROV application as well, and that’s really exciting to us.”
— Carlyn Loncaric, Founder and CEO of AquaEye
The Role of Early-Stage Investors
Carlyn credits the support of early-stage investors, such as Archangel Network, for helping the company grow through its critical early stages.
“Fundraising is so hard, so every angel we have, we are grateful for. You need a community to help support the growth past those early days, and our angels have done that for us and given us a real chance at a huge win.”
— Carlyn Loncaric, Founder and CEO of AquaEye
Early-stage investors were instrumental in getting the product off the ground—and evolving it into a robust, integrated hardware-software platform. Their belief in AquaEye’s mission has helped the company scale its team, move into a new manufacturing facility, and secure major global contracts.
AquaEye was also a finalist at Web Summit’s pitch competition, one of the largest startup events in the world. The company won the audience vote, helping to propel its fundraising efforts and amplify its visibility among global investors and customers alike.
What’s Next?
With AquaEye Pro rolling out to first responders across the globe and Command Hub preparing for its full commercial release, the company is entering its next phase of growth. A larger manufacturing space will help meet demand, and a new round of funding will further accelerate R&D, international expansion, and customer success.
But at its core, AquaEye’s mission remains the same: to equip water rescue teams with faster, smarter, and more effective tools—and ultimately, to save more lives.
“It cuts out that entire time of waiting into action and allows customers to have a chance at saving a life.”
— Carlyn Loncaric, Founder and CEO of AquaEye
