Frequently Asked Questions - General
What is the Drifter made of?
The Return to Sea Drifter is a unique, patent-pending design that gently releases ashes into the ocean while sharing the journey through satellite tracking and real-time online displays. To protect the marine environment, each Drifter is built from natural and durable materials including stainless steel, aluminum, natural cork and a thin sheet of silicone. A granite base provides ballast, ensuring stability as it drifts. The only non-natural component is a small satellite transmitter—about the size of a matchbox—that makes up less than 1% of the Drifter’s total weight. You can learn more on our FAQ – Minimal Plastic page.
Why is it best to deploy our Drifters in the Gulf Stream current offshore Florida?
The Gulf Stream is one of the world’s most powerful and consistent ocean currents. Flowing northward from the Gulf of Mexico along Florida’s east coast and then into the open Atlantic, it provides a direct and natural pathway to the vast sea. Because of its depth and strength, the current does not flow back onto the shallow continental shelf or nearshore waters. This makes Palm Beach, Florida, an ideal location for Drifter deployments, allowing Loved Ones’ ashes to be carried far offshore into the vast North Atlantic on a truly meaningful journey. Learn more on our FAQ - Gulf Stream Characteristics page.
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How fast will the Drifter travel?
Every Drifter’s path is unique, guided by the rhythms of the sea. For example, a Drifter deployed on August 2, 2025, began its journey northward in the Gulf Stream at speeds of 4–5 miles per hour, later slowing to 2–3 miles per hour. Within a week, it reached the latitude of Wilmington, NC, then lingered offshore for 11 days before Hurricane Erin nudged it back into the current. By September 2, as the transmitter’s batteries concluded their service, the Drifter had traveled over 1,400 miles and was positioned 490 miles east-southeast of Cape Cod, near the longitude of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Gulf Stream sometimes forms large circular eddies, or rings, which can carry Drifters on meandering courses for weeks or even months.
How quickly are the ashes released?
Ashes will be released from the R2C ash canister upon deployment. The release is gradual at first, then increases as the cardboard canister naturally comes apart. Because the cremated remains are denser than seawater, they sink and become part of the deep-ocean environment.
Can the Drifter be damaged?
Drifters are carefully engineered to withstand the rough seas of the North Atlantic. Each unit is weighted with granite for stability, allowing it to 'right itself' if overturned. While passing vessels may occasionally encounter a Drifter, the largest ships will push it aside with their bow waves, minimizing the chance of impact. To avoid disturbance, every Drifter carries a bilingual tag explaining that it contains cremated human remains and should be left respectfully in the ocean. Our contact number is also provided should someone wish to learn more.
How long will the Drifter last?
The satellite transmitter is designed to send position updates for two to three months, though conditions at sea can affect this. The physical structure of the Drifter endures much longer—often up to a year—before the cork floats naturally separate and the negatively buoyant components settle gently to the seafloor. The robust physical design of the Drifter was proven in August 2025, when two Drifters survived the passage of Hurricane Erin as it passed through the region with waves up to 30 feet high.
How long will Drifter positions be visible online?
Position updates will be displayed for weeks after deployment, though exact duration depends on weather and sea conditions and battery life of the satellite transmitter. In the important early weeks, when the ashes are released, transmissions are frequent and will reveal the path of the Drifter. Once the batteries complete their service and transmissions end, the journey map remains accessible online, and we prepare and mail a personalized Certificate of Burial at Sea to the family representative.
When can I view the Drifter’s journey online?
One week before deployment, we will send the designated family member an email with login details for the secure Return to Sea drifter trajectory website. The site is simple to use, with interactive maps and zoom features that let you follow the Drifter’s positions, updated hourly. The first positions begin to appear on the day of deployment, and the website remains available 24/7 throughout the journey. When tracking concludes, a message will appear on the site, and a printed Certificate of Burial at Sea will be mailed to you as a lasting keepsake.
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Remembrance Blog for Family and Friends
We've created a Remembrance Blog within the password-protected website so that Family can post comments and personal tributes within a private Blog. Other persons can be invited to the site by Family, allowing them to view the Drifter trajectory and share their heartfelt respects on the Blog.
Does Return to Sea trajectory data help science?
Yes. Oceanographers rely on drifting buoys to study the circulation of the North Atlantic, understand climate change impacts and track the movement of floating materials such as marine plastics. With family permission, data from Return to Sea Drifters—anonymized to respect privacy—are shared with scientists, modelers and students. In this way, each journey contributes not only to a meaningful Memorial but also to the advancement of marine science. Learn more on our FAQ – Aiding Science page.
Are there any legal concerns?
The deployment of scientific drifters in the ocean is a common and accepted practice, requiring no special permits. Return to Sea Drifters are designed to be environmentally responsible: built from natural materials and containing only a very small amount of sealed plastic within the satellite unit. Because Drifters components are mostly biodegradable and free of harmful plastics, they comply with EPA guidelines for ocean burials and ensure a respectful, sustainable farewell.