As The Ocean Race Europe sails through seven cities this summer, all competing race boats will be equipped with science instruments to gather vital ocean data.
The race – starting 10 August in Kiel, Germany and finishing in Montenegro on 20 September – aims to deepen understanding of ocean health by sharing real-time data with international researchers.
Onboard devices will track ocean temperature, salinity, oxygen and CO₂ levels, microplastics, and environmental DNA (eDNA).
Some teams will also deploy drifter buoys transmitting long-term meteorological data.
Lucy Hunt, Ocean Impact Director of The Ocean Race, said: “Scientists urgently need more data to grasp the pace and scale of ocean changes. With limited monitoring in vast areas, race boats offer a unique opportunity to gather high-quality information while in motion.”
Over 4 million data points were collected during the 2023 round-the-world Ocean Race.
Dr Stefan Raimund, Scientific Advisor to The Ocean Race, added: “Equipping different boats with varying scientific instruments allows us to broaden the scope of data collection and better analyse European waters.”
