Designer and engineer interested in computational archaeology: recovering abandoned computing paradigms and rebuilding them with modern tools.
Also a wooden boatbuilder.
Former Recurser.
Currently ITP @ NYU
Designer and engineer interested in computational archaeology: recovering abandoned computing paradigms and rebuilding them with modern tools.
Also a wooden boatbuilder.
Former Recurser.
Currently ITP @ NYU
LeakSeek
A smart leak detection system for boats — wireless sensors that monitor through-hull fittings and alert owners before small leaks become sinkings.
The Problem
Two-thirds of boats sink while docked. Not at sea during storms, but quietly at the marina while owners are away. The cause is usually small leaks from corroded fittings, failed hoses, or worn seals that go undetected until the bilge pump can't keep up.
Existing solutions are either expensive ($500+), detect water in the bilge rather than at the source, or have unreliable connectivity.
The Solution
LeakSeek is a distributed sensor network designed for boats:
Sensor Nodes
- Compact wireless sensors placed at leak-prone locations (through-hulls, hose connections, stuffing boxes)
- Custom flexible water detection strips that wrap around fittings
- Low-power design for months of battery life
Hub Unit
- E-ink display showing system status
- Aggregates sensor data
- Connects to WiFi/cellular for remote alerts
Mobile App
- Real-time status monitoring
- Push notifications when water is detected
- Historical data and sensor health
Technical Details
Hardware:
- Custom PCB design with nRF52 BLE SoC
- E-ink display for always-on status
- Flexible PCB water detection strips (custom sensor geometry)
- 3D-printed enclosures designed for marine environment
Connectivity:
- BLE mesh between sensor nodes and hub
- WiFi/cellular backhaul from hub to cloud
- MQTT for real-time updates
Why this approach:
- Localized detection catches leaks at the source, not after they've flooded the bilge
- Wireless installation means no drilling holes in the boat
- Low power means no wiring to battery systems
Personal Connection
I'm a wooden boatbuilder. I've seen what happens when boats sink at the dock. This project combines my background in marine craft with embedded systems.
Status
Functional prototype. Tested on two boats over summer 2025.