SYKE Alg@line project in the Baltic Sea monitors the state of the sea and detects algal blooms. Several millions of data points are collected annually from the Baltic Sea, using a fleet of 5-7 ferries. Two best equipped ferries offered in TNA are m/s Silja Serenade, which travels daily between Helsinki and Stockholm (Sweden) and m/s Finnmaid, which travels approx. twice a week from Helsinki to Travemünde (Germany) and back. Both ferries are equipped with flow-through system with thermosalinograph, chlorohyll, phycocyanin and CDOM fluorometers, turbiditymeter and refrigerated.sampling unit providing discrete water samples for laboratory analyses (e.g. microscopy, flowCAM, nutrients, optical analysis, experimental work). Additional sensors e.g. for primary production (FRRF) and light reflectance are used periodically, new sensors for light absorption and pCO2 will be soon implemented. Data can be retrieved in real time using satellite or GSM connection (basic sensors) or downloaded during harbour visits (additional sensors). Alg@line data is available e.g. through MyOcean and has also been delivered to users based on mutual cooperation, including scientific advice. Algaline ships maintained by SYKE host measurement systems from other countries, and periodically they are used as platforms for international short-term studies.

The oceanographic data from the Oslofjord at 1 m and 60 m are in the range of a salinity of ~10-34 and a temperature range of -1 to 20 °C. Other sensor data that can be available are Chl-a fluorescence, turbidity, pH and pCO2. The station will give access to the above data for doing research on biogeochemistry and climate. NIVA staff will support via data QC and setup of remote data access.

SYKE Alg@line project in the Baltic Sea monitors the state of the sea and detects algal blooms. Several millions of data points are collected annually from the Baltic Sea, using a fleet of 5-7 ferries. Two best equipped ferries offered in TNA are m/s Silja Serenade, which travels daily between Helsinki and Stockholm (Sweden) and m/s Finnmaid, which travels approx. twice a week from Helsinki to Travemünde (Germany) and back. Both ferries are equipped with flow-through system with thermosalinograph, chlorohyll, phycocyanin and CDOM fluorometers, turbiditymeter and refrigerated sampling unit providing discrete water samples for laboratory analyses (e.g. microscopy, flowCAM, nutrients, optical analysis, experimental work). Additional sensors e.g. for primary production (FRRF) and light reflectance are used periodically, new sensors for light absorption and pCO2 will be soon implemented. Data can be retrieved in real time using satellite or GSM connection (basic sensors) or downloaded during harbour visits (additional sensors). Alg@line data is available e.g. through MyOcean and has also been delivered to users based on mutual cooperation, including scientific advice. Algaline ships maintained by SYKE host measurement systems from other countries, and periodically they are used as platforms for international short-term studies.

The National Glider Facility (GNF) is held by DT-INSU. It is installed inside the Mediterranean Ifremer center and is part of the CETSM (European Centre of underwater technologies). GNF started in September 2008. It is manned by 3 engineers and 1 technician and operates 10 gliders. The facility is fully equipped with: a glider ballasting tank, an electronic lab for pre-deployment preparation, servers and communications devices for glider operations. It is linked to the ego-network.org web page offering a collaborative work environment and tools for piloting gliders. The following sensors can be mounted on the gliders: CTD, Oxygen Optode, Fluorimeters (ChlA, CDOM, Phycoerythrine, turbidity), Back scattering (470-880 nm).

MOLIT is designed for in situ monitoring in large rivers, estuaries and coastal areas. It is used for since many years in the Loire estuary where a two level sampling, surface and 10 m depth, is performed with multiparameter measurements (T, DO, salinity, turbidity, fluorescence). Nevertheless, if needed, the MOLIT hydraulic system can perform sampling at 4 different levels. The whole hydraulic sampling system is protected from bio-fouling by an efficient seawater electrolysis scheme; this bio-fouling protection can be used to protect the tested instruments. The data are available by a wireless communication system or can be stored on board.

FERRY is installed on the coastal steamer MV Vesterålen measuring T, S, Chlorophyll fluorescence and oxygen permanently as well as 30 individual samples are taken on all roundtrips from Bergen-Kirkenes and back. This roundtrip is repeated every 11 days throughout the year.

This autonomous platform is deployed at the mouth of the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer, (43°40’54.16”N; 07°19’10.48”E). It is moored over rocky bottom depth of 90 m. As no continental platform is present in this area, this site is under offshore influences, for physical parameters as well as for biological ones. Its equipment comprises: a meteorological station (station Vaisala WXT 520), a winch dedicated to ctd (temperature and salinity at the moment, extension to others sensors in the future) profiles. Core oceanographic parameters (temperature, salinity, fluorescence, dissolved oxygen) are acquired with a SeaBird SBE19 on an hourly basis at a fixed depth (1.5 m). A fixed pH sensor is deployed in a developmental phase of validation.

NorFerry is composed of three FerryBoxes that are operating in the North Sea, coastal Norway, and the Barents Sea opening. The Ferrybox installation provide the core sensor data from about 4 meters depth of temperature, salinity, Chl-a fluorescence, oxygen and turbidity. Some ships will also provide data on parameters, ocean colour and true wind. Special sampling can be ordered.

COSYNA (Coastal Observation System for Northern and Arctic Seas) is an operational coastal monitoring, forecasting and information system for the North Sea composed by fixed platforms, FerryBoxes, gliders and HF-radar systems. It is being developed by institutes of the German Marine Research Consortium (KDM) and collaborating institutions and is operated by the HZG Research Centre. The infrastructure represents an investment of 9 M €. It was build up since 2007 and is fully operational since 2012. COSYNA_SFB is a Stationary FerryBox system, including self-cleaning features, installed in a container at the mouth of the Elbe River equipped with sensors T, C/S, turbidity, DO, pH, chlorophyll-afluorescence, CDOM fluorescence, nutrients (NOx, NO2, PO4, SiO2) and a cooled water sampler.

Visualization tools for real time water quality data have been developed (swell.fmi.fi/Algaline/about.html). The first demonstration product includes ferrybox data from passanger ferry Silja Serenade commuting between Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. Tools include python and R scripts for data transfer and visualization. Plots include transect plots and contour plots for last 1 month period and for the current year. Variables include Temperature, Salinity, CDOM, Chlorophyll a, Oxygen, Phycocyanin and Turbidity. Transect data shows also which parts of the data are flagged as bad quality data. A map showing transects and the current location of ship is also included.