Advanced oceanographic technology supporting the Catalonia Maritime Agenda 2030
At the end of 2025, MSM Ocean designed, manufactured and supplied four EBM24OC-SAS oceanographic buoys for the marine observation network of ICATMAR (Catalan Institute of Research for the Governance of the Sea), a scientific body under the Generalitat de Catalunya.
This project is part of the Catalonia Maritime Agenda 2030 and the observation system deployed by the Directorate General for Maritime Policy and Sustainable Fisheries (DGPMPS), complemented by the Automatic Meteorological Station Network (XEMA) managed by the Meteorological Service of Catalonia.
The network aims to strengthen the acquisition of geophysical, oceanographic, environmental and sectoral information along the Catalan coastline, providing key data for science-based decision-making, sustainable marine management and enhanced maritime safety.
EBM24OC-SAS buoy installed in Tarragona
A strategic ODAS buoy network along the Catalan coast
The four metocean buoys are strategically located at:
- Cap de Creus
- Blanes
- Tarragona
- Tortosa
These ODAS (Ocean Data Acquisition System) buoys enable continuous monitoring of physical, oceanographic and meteorological variables, including sea surface temperature and salinity, marine currents, waves and atmospheric parameters.
Data are transmitted in real time to ICATMAR’s central system via mobile communications, where they undergo rigorous quality control to ensure physical and temporal consistency before being integrated into numerical models and statistical analyses.
This information is essential to:
- Monitor the Catalan coastline and understand phenomena such as coastal currents, stratification and response to extreme weather events
- Support science-based marine planning and management
- Improve maritime safety, including navigation and recreational activities
ODAS network data are publicly available on ICATMAR’s website.
EBM24OC-SAS buoy installation in Tortosa
EBM24OC-SAS buoys: robustness, efficiency and sustainability
The EBM24OC-SAS buoys are designed for:
- Long service life in harsh marine environments
- Minimal environmental impact
- Efficient maintenance through surface access to sensors via a dual SAS (Sensor Access from Surface) system
The float is virtually unsinkable, made of closed-cell polyethylene foam coated with pigmented polyurethane. Each buoy integrates an enclosed tower housing the datalogger and electronic devices. They are equipped with an AIS transponder and an autonomous solar power system with seven photovoltaic panels.
The buoy also includes a self-contained LED lantern model MCL360S-Plus with yellow light, providing up to 35 days of autonomy without solar charging and a nominal range of 6 nautical miles, as well as an optimized hybrid mooring system.
The data acquisition system can be configured both on-site and remotely, enabling real-time transmission to ICATMAR’s control center via GPRS, where data and onboard system status can be visualized and remotely controlled.
EBM24OC-SAS buoy at MSM facilities
Advanced oceanographic instrumentation
The buoys are equipped with internationally recognized sensors:
- ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) by Nortek
- CTD (Conductivity, Temperature and Depth sensor) by SeaBird Scientific
- Wave sensor by SeaView
- Meteorological station by Gill Instruments
- Anemometer by RM Young
- Redundant temperature and humidity sensors by Vaisala
These instruments measure:
- Marine currents
- Water temperature, conductivity and pressure
- Waves (significant wave height and period)
- Wind speed and direction
- Air temperature and humidity
Data are recorded at predefined intervals and periodically transmitted to ensure continuity and accuracy. This information enables marine dynamics modeling, maritime safety planning and sustainable marine resource management.
Deployment of the EBM24OC-SAS buoys along the Catalan coastline
Technical innovation: SAS system and data management software
The dual SAS system consists of two modular cylindrical compartments allowing installation, protection and surface access to critical underwater sensors:
- SAS Module 1 houses the ADCP
- SAS Module 2 contains the CTD sensor
This Sensor Access from Surface system reduces operational costs by eliminating the need to recover the buoy for maintenance.
MSM Ocean has also developed visualization, monitoring and remote-control software featuring:
- MQTT lightweight messaging protocol
- Scalable and efficient architecture
- Bidirectional remote control
- Modern API for external system integration
- Monitoring of key parameters such as power supply, collision alerts, displacement, water ingress or power failure
This approach reduces operational costs, facilitates preventive maintenance and maximizes system efficiency.
Technical training and knowledge transfer
ICATMAR technicians received specialized training at MSM Ocean covering:
- ODAS system operation
- Preventive maintenance
- Remote supervision and control
This initiative reinforces the client’s technical autonomy and ensures safe and efficient network operation.
EBM24OC-SAS buoy installed in Blanes
Applied oceanography for sustainability and Blue Economy
ICATMAR’s ODAS network is a strategic tool for:
- Advanced marine research
- Sustainable fisheries management
- Science-based decision-making
- Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 14 – Life Below Water and SDG 13 – Climate Action)
- Supporting the ecological transition of the maritime sector
With this project, MSM Ocean consolidates its position as a reliable provider of high-tech marine observation systems, actively contributing to sustainable maritime development.
ICATMAR and MSM technicians oversee the installation of an EBM24OC-SAS buoy at Cap de Creus
