OCEANSCOUT

Our Vision

OCEANSCOUT connects passion and purpose by bringing together scientists, researchers, and environmentally conscious citizens to protect and preserve the world's marine ecosystems.

Through the installation of modular "Sailboxes" equipped with sensors to measure critical water parameters and monitor marine mammals on commercial and private sailboats, OCEANSCOUT empowers sailors to enjoy the wonders of the ocean, like the magic of spotting a whale, while simultaneously addressing significant gaps in ocean data collection.

OCEANSCOUT inspires all who are passionate about sailing and the marine world, by utilizing vessels already traveling these waterways, and aims to gather the most comprehensive and dense ocean data across all seven seas.

Why

Efforts to map and study the oceans have made strides, but the sheer scale means much of the ocean floor and its ecosystems remain uncharted. Existing data is often limited to coastal regions or areas of economic interest, leaving vast areas unexplored.

The health of the oceans is rapidly declining due to climate change, pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction, leading to reduced oxygen levels, or ocean deoxygenation. This stresses marine life and disrupts ecosystems, making the need for comprehensive, real-time data more urgent than ever to protect these vital environments.

Key Statistics

Less than 30% of the ocean has been explored or mapped.

Over 80% of the ocean remains unexplored or unmapped.

The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface.

The ocean contains 97% of the planet’s water.

The Sailboxes

Sailbox 1 is mounted on the stern of the sailboat, and the water supply for the sensors is autonomous, meaning no water connection onboard is required. The advantage is the very simple installation, as shown in Fig. 1 A-I. The first transatlantic deployment of the prototype was highly successful. The measuring devices are available at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel.

Sailbox 2 is integrated into the sailboat's water system, and the water supply for the sensors is actively provided by a pump, as shown in Fig. 2 A-C. The advantage of this autonomously operating and compact system (about 20x40 cm) is the simple and space-saving installation below deck. Five sensors simultaneously measure different parameters in the water body, and they can easily be replaced. The prototype of Sailing Box 2, including the OSBK module, was developed within the framework of SOOP at the Helmholtz Centre Hereon in Geesthacht.