Two oceanographic buoys were recently deployed off the coast of Limassol in the context of two research projects, Sea Traffic Management in the Eastern Mediterranean (STEAM) Project (INTEGRATED/0916/0063 – RESTART 2016-2020 program) and Maritime Cognitive Decision Support System (MARI-Sense) Project (INTEGRATED/0918/0032 – RESTART 2016-2020 program). After the engagement with stakeholders and experts, including Cyprus Port Authority, VTS Vasiliko Terminal Services, DP World Limassol and Eurogate Container Terminal Limassol, the specific needs were identified and an environmental plan was prepared by Cyprus Subsea. The preparation and deployment of the buoys was realized through the collaboration of Cyprus Subsea, University of Nicosia, Cyprus University of Technology, and Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute.
The research buoys, manufactured by Mobilis, are equipped with various sensors that measure sea surface temperature, salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll, and refined fuels, among other water quality parameters. Marine data are transmitted onshore by using LoRa technology so that the involved stakeholders can view the measurements in real-time. The data will be available through the newly developed CMMI Ocean Observation Platform. More information is available here.