Quick answer: A wind-powered USV for oceanographic research is an autonomous surface vehicle that uses wind for propulsion and solar panels for onboard electronics and sensors. It carries a modular scientific sensor payload, transmits data via satellite in real time, and can operate for up to 12 months without fuel or crew. Sensor configurations cover physical oceanography, biogeochemistry, acoustics, and meteorology.
Key facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 2.0 m |
| Displacement | ~60 kg |
| Payload capacity | 10 kg |
| Mission duration | 6 to 12+ months depending on conditions |
| Propulsion | Wind-driven rigid sail |
| Power | 30W solar, battery backup |
| Communications | Encrypted Iridium RUDICS or Inmarsat |
| Environmental range | Arctic to tropical waters |
| Deployment vessel | Small vessel (6 m or larger) |
Propulsion and power
The Sailbuoy is a 2-meter, approximately 60 kg autonomous surface vehicle that uses a rigid sail for propulsion and solar panels for onboard electronics. It carries up to 10 kg of customisable sensor payload. There is no fuel, no crew, and no operational emissions during deployment.
Data is transmitted in real time via Iridium or Inmarsat satellite, with full onboard logging for redundancy. Mission parameters, including routing and sensor configuration, can be adjusted remotely during deployment.
Standard sensor suite
The standard configuration combines a Simrad EK80 WBT Mini echo-sounder (available with 120, 200 or 333 kHz transducers), a cabled CTD for salinity, temperature and density, an Aanderaa Optode for dissolved oxygen, and an Airmar 200 WX weather station measuring wind, air temperature and pressure. A hydrophone can be fitted for passive acoustic monitoring.
Additional instruments such as pCO2 sensors or chlorophyll fluorometers may be integrated, but the 30W solar power system and low-bandwidth satellite link impose practical limits on how many high-draw sensors can operate simultaneously.
Proven sensor configurations
For physical oceanography, validated configurations include CTD, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (validated against moored profilers, Sensors 2022), wave measurement sensors, and ocean current profiling systems. For biogeochemical work, dissolved oxygen sensors, pH sensors, fluorometers for chlorophyll and CDOM, and optical sensors covering the UV to infrared spectrum have all been field-tested.
For acoustic and biological monitoring, echo sounders in multi-frequency configurations including 200 kHz, 333 kHz, and 120 kHz have been field-tested and qualified. Passive acoustic arrays for ambient noise and biological sound monitoring, and eDNA sampling capability with automated water collection, are also available. Meteorological sensors cover wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, air temperature and humidity, and sea surface temperature.
Operational range and environmental tolerance
The platform has operated across Arctic, Atlantic, North Sea, Southern Ocean, and tropical environments. It has operated in 30 m/s winds and waves exceeding 14 metres. The modular design supports mission-specific sensor packages, and Offshore Sensing works with sensor manufacturers to develop and qualify new configurations for specific research requirements.
FAQ
Can the USV be deployed from a small vessel? Yes. The platform can be deployed from vessels of 6 metres or larger, and ships in a standard transport case suitable for air freight.
What are the power constraints for sensor integration? The 30W solar power system and low-bandwidth satellite link impose practical limits. High-draw sensors must be balanced against available power and data transmission capacity.
What communications systems does it use? Encrypted Iridium RUDICS or Inmarsat. Real-time data transmission runs alongside full onboard logging, providing redundancy throughout the mission.