Barnacle Systems (BRNKL), developer of maritime intelligence and mission data solutions, has appointed two new team members.
Joseph Abeyta has joined the company as director of government business development to lead the company’s growth and Florian Besnard has joined as sales engineer.
Abeyta brings more than 34 years of combined operational, acquisition and defense industry leadership.
His career includes 24-years with the U.S. Coast Guard, followed by a decade leading government programmes at Teledyne FLIR Maritime / Raymarine, where he helped deliver one of the Coast Guard’s largest small-boat electronics modernisation initiatives.
During his tenure, Abeyta won and managed more than $60 million in direct U.S. Coast Guard contracts, including the Scalable Integrated Navigation System II (SINS II) programme.
Measurable differences
“Joseph brings something very special to Barnacle,” said Sean Battistoni, chief growth officer at Barnacle Systems.
“He understands the maritime mission from every angle — as an operator, a commander, an acquisition leader, and an industry executive.
“He’s spent his career earning the trust of operators, programme managers, and procurement professionals by delivering technologies that make a measurable difference in the field.”
Abeyta added: “What attracted me to Barnacle Systems is that this isn’t simply another marine electronics company.
“BRNKL has developed an operational intelligence platform that transforms vessel data into actionable information that improves readiness, maintenance, training, and mission execution.
“I believe this technology has the potential to fundamentally change how government fleets operate, and I’m excited to help bring those capabilities to maritime organisations around the world.”
Advanced marine electronic systems
Besnard brings more than a decade of hands-on experience designing, integrating, and commissioning advanced marine electronic systems across recreational, commercial, and government vessels to BRNKL.
In his new role he will support Barnacle customers, partners, and dealers throughout North America and internationally.
For the past 13 years, Besnard was one of the engineers behind some sophisticated installations at French electronics company Pochon.
Besnard has worked across the industry’s leading platforms including as Garmin, Simrad, B&G, Raymarine, Furuno, FLIR and Victron Energy.
Marine technology companies
“I’ve always enjoyed taking complex technical challenges and turning them into solutions that are practical, reliable, and easy for customers to use,” he said.
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with many outstanding marine technology companies. What attracted me to Barnacle is the opportunity to help build something that’s genuinely changing how vessels are monitored, protected, and managed.”
Battistoni added: “Florian brings something very special to Barnacle. He understands the marine industry from the inside out because he’s spent his career designing and integrating systems for real vessels.
“He’s earned the trust of boat builders, installers, and operators by helping them solve difficult technical problems.
“That experience is invaluable — not just for Barnacle, but for every customer and partner we’ll support together.”
