Sailboat-Mounted Atmospheric and Ocean Sensor: Monitoring Our Oceans’ Health

The SQUID system is a sailboat-mounted atmospheric and ocean sensor platform developed to address the growing need for affordable, modular, and accurate marine environmental monitoring tools. As climate change accelerates and ocean health continues to decline, there is an urgent need for widespread, real-time data on key marine parameters. Ocean sensors provide critical insights into phenomena such as ocean acidification, thermal stratification, and pressure-related ecosystem changes—data that are essential for scientific modeling, sustainable fisheries management, and evidence-based environmental policy. Additionally, localized ocean data can help coastal communities respond to environmental changes, enable students to engage in real-world science, and support citizen scientists in contributing to long-term marine stewardship. Expanding access to ocean sensing technologies strengthens both scientific research and public engagement in ocean conservation.Designed for use by both researchers and citizen scientists, the device measures pH, temperature, and pressure at operational depths of 30 to 60 feet. The system features a modular PLA with marine grade welding and flex seal reinforced housing, active bilge-pump-based buoyancy control, and a digital sensor array with onboard data logging and wireless transmission capabilities. Bench-scale testing validated sensor accuracy within 10% error, waterproofing up to 3 feet, and reliable real-time data transfer. Developed at a prototype cost of $267, the system is projected to scale at a unit cost between $300 and $500. SQUID emphasizes accessibility, field repairability, and regulatory compliance while supporting long-term deployment through energy-efficient hardware and a planned solar upgrade. With further refinement and pilot testing, the system offers a scalable solution for enhancing marine data collection, environmental research, and public engagement in ocean monitoring.