Smartboatia and the SOOP Project
Ocean Research & Sustainability
Sailors as Citizen Scientists: Modern yachts can do more than take you places – they can also deliver valuable data for ocean research. That’s exactly what the SOOP Project is all about, and Smartboatia is proud to be part of it. Together, we create new ways to observe and protect the ocean, without adding extra work to your sailing routine. Here’s what SOOP is, how Smartboatia contributes, what kind of data your Hub can share – and why every sailor with a Hub can join in.
Ocean Research & Sustainability
SOOP stands for “Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities” – an innovation platform launched by the Helmholtz research association. It brings together science, business, and the sailing community to collect more and better ocean data.
The idea is simple: ships that aren’t research vessels – from cruise liners to sailing yachts – can record important environmental data along their journeys. With affordable, user-friendly sensors installed on different vessels, SOOP helps to close big gaps in ocean observation. The data supports climate models, weather forecasts, and ocean health assessments. In short: SOOP connects people and science to better understand and protect the sea.
Read more about the SOOP project and how Trans-Ocean members are already part of it
Smartboatia & SOOP: Sailing with Purpose
Smartboatia teams up with SOOP to bring cutting-edge measuring technology onto sailing yachts. In a pilot project, long-distance sailors were equipped with the Smartboatia Hub to record and share ocean data while crossing the Baltic, the Atlantic, and beyond.
The idea is powerful: while you sail, your Hub can automatically collect and send data to researchers – turning your yacht into a small but valuable floating research station. No extra effort needed, just keep sailing.
What kind of data does the Smartboatia Hub collect?
Your Smartboatia Hub is your digital co-pilot, and it automatically records a range of environmental and navigation data:
All of this happens automatically in the background. If you decide to share, the data can be uploaded to SOOP’s open platform whenever you’re online.
Air pressure
Water temperature
Wind direction & speed
Sea state
GPS position
Timestamp
Timestamp – each data point is automatically tagged with the exact time of measurement.
Voluntary & Transparent
How the data is sent
The Smartboatia Hub collects your measurements on board and sends them to the Smartboatia Cloud whenever you’re online. From there, the data is passed on to the SOOP network and made available to research partners.
To make sure the data is reliable, it’s also checked by the German Weather Service (DWD) before being shared with OceanOps, the global coordination center for ocean and climate observations.
Who receives the data
- SOOP partners like GEOMAR, AWI, and Hereon
- German Weather Service (DWD) for weather forecasting
- OceanOps for worldwide use in ocean and climate science
Here’s the important part sharing is voluntary!
If you own a Hub, you can choose to take part – but you don’t have to. Nothing gets sent without your consent.
Many sailors love the idea of contributing: it’s easy, transparent, and impactful. Whether you sail weekends in coastal waters or cross oceans – every mile and every data point counts.
In a nutshell: With Smartboatia and SOOP, your sailing becomes more than just a personal journey. You can enjoy smarter, safer trips while helping science to protect the ocean.