The Sailing Box is a very compact flow-through measurement system that pumps seawater through a chamber equipped with various sensors. The seawater is sourced from the engine cooling system or the toilet flushing system. For shorter distances between the Sailing Box and the ocean, it is also possible to insert pipes directly into the water. Currently, low-cost and less accurate sensors are being considered. The idea is that multiple simultaneous measurements compensate for the lower accuracy.
Key Features:
- Miniaturized sampler of essential ocean parameters
- Easy to manufacture and assemble
- Standard parts and sensors as well as OSBK compatible (expandable)
- Easily adaptable on small boats
Technical Requirements:
- Installation: Several options for installing the Sailing Box, with access to seawater required.
- Power Supply: 12 V DC; the system consumes approximately 20-25 W.
- Size: Diameter of 18 cm and a length of 45 cm.
- Water Resistance: The control chamber is waterproof as long as the box is not fully submerged.
- Maintenance Requirements: Regular cleaning of the particle filter and flow chamber.
Data Processing:
Data can be transmitted via interfaces such as LTE and further plans also cover LoRaWAN, Ethernet, or CAN-bus.
Collaboration Partners:
Use Cases:
The Sailing Box is ideal for monitoring ocean parameters while sailing on small boats like sailing vessels and yachts, as well as on research vessels.
Development Status:
Technology Readiness Level: 6
The Sailing Box was developed and built by Dr. Stephan Christoph Deschner and Dr. Yoana Voynova (Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH). This development represents not only an important step forward for ocean data collection but also a clear example of technology transfer within the SOOP framework.
If you are interested in learning more about the Sailing Box, potential collaborations, or technical details, feel free to contact Stephan (stephan.deschner@hereon.de) or Yoana (yoana.voynova@hereon.de).
