Blog: CGI OpenSea360 Powering the Future of Maritime Search and Rescue

Search and rescue (SAR) operations demand precision, speed, and resilience, and CGI is helping crews meet these challenges head-on. We spoke with Dave Gawthorpe, Vice President of Secure Platform Systems at CGI, to learn how the company’s mission systems are transforming maritime SAR operations. 

Dave leads CGI’s maritime business, which has a long-standing heritage in supporting SAR missions. For more than a decade, CGI has provided Systems & Information Management Systems onboard lifeboats, helping crews operate effectively in high-pressure, dynamic environments. 

“I’m proud to support industries where every second counts, from defence to search and rescue,” Dave explains. “Despite their differences, both face complex, high-tempo challenges, and we play a key role in supporting these vital operations.” 

At the heart of CGI’s SAR offering is OpenSea360, a mission system designed for modern maritime operations. By integrating navigation data, radars, camera feeds, and task-specific information, OpenSea360 gives crews all the information they need at their fingertips, allowing faster, smarter decision-making while remaining safely seated at the helm. 

The system connects onboard and offboard technologies, enabling seamless communication with command centres, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and other assets. As part of our future roadmap, we would like to integrate  UAV camera feeds integrated with CGI Machine Vision, so it can automatically scan the horizon and tag potential targets, acting like an extra pair of eyes for the crew. 

“This fusion of data minimises decision latency,” Dave says. “Crews can monitor weather, track distress signals, and manage navigational hazards simultaneously, all through a single, secure interface.” 

“CGI OpenSea360 is hardware-agnostic with no vendor lock-in allowing SAR organisations to integrate the system with existing equipment, choose the most suitable technology for their operations, and adapt quickly to emerging innovations.” Dave recognises. 

“This flexibility maximises the value of existing equipment, reduces installation time, and ensures SAR teams can stay ahead of technological change.” Dave notes. 

Human factors are at the core of CGI OpenSea360’s design. By presenting critical information clearly and contextually, the system enhances human-machine teaming, reducing cognitive load and supporting crews in high-stress rescue scenarios allowing them to focus on the right information at the right time during a shout. 

“The interface helps crews focus on priority tasks, like finding casualties and navigating safely, while staying fully informed,” says Dave. “It’s about making the crew and the vessel operate as one efficient, safe unit.” 

CGI OpenSea360 is also used by the UK Royal Navy, providing valuable lessons for civilian SAR services. Key learning includes the importance of system resilience, intuitive interfaces, and integrating multiple data sources into a single, actionable view. These insights help ensure civilian SAR crews are equally prepared for fast-moving, complex operations. 

CGI became a member of the IMRF to collaborate with the global SAR community, share expertise, and better understand operational challenges. “We want to make sure our solutions align with real-world needs,” Dave explains. “By working together, we can improve SAR outcomes worldwide by better understanding the operational challenges and emerging requirements.” 

As maritime operations become more complex, CGI OpenSea360 provides a digital foundation for safer, faster, and more coordinated missions. Its modular design allows integration with emerging technologies, from UAVs to AI-assisted sensors, ensuring SAR organisations are equipped to meet evolving challenges. 

“Our vision is a future where mission systems enable data-driven, autonomous operations while keeping crews connected, informed, and safe,” Dave says. “With CGI OpenSea360, we’re helping SAR teams save lives, one mission at a time, expediting the search process, so the crew can focus on the rescue.