¸£ÀûÔÚÏßÃâ·Ñ

The Department of Geosciences has successfully deployed the country’s first fixed ocean sensing platform, marking a significant advancement in marine observation. Nicknamed BLUE (Buoy for Long-term Underwater Exploration), this state-of-the-art system allows high-resolution monitoring of marine and atmospheric conditions.

 

Anchored 2.1 nautical miles off Grand Harbour, the platform is at a site selected for its scientific relevance and strategic importance to various national stakeholders. BLUE delivers continuous environmental data, providing valuable insights into the effects of climate change and other human-induced pressures on the marine ecosystem. It also contributes to Malta’s national reporting responsibilities under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

The buoy is outfitted with an advanced array of sensors. Weather instruments mounted on the crown, measure wind speed and gusts, air temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. Additional sensors fixed along the hull monitor surface current speed and direction, as well as wave height and wave period. The platform also features a motorised winch that lowers a payload of sensors to a depth of 85 metres. These sensors collect data through the water column, measuring sea temperature, salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll, fluorescence, sound velocity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and carbon dioxide concentration.

Data is transmitted to the University of Malta every ten minutes and is shared with several national authorities, including the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), the Energy and Water Agency (EWA), and Transport Malta. The measurements support marine environmental assessments, policymaking, and day-to-day operations.

This project was made possible through the collaboration of several government entities. Transport Malta, the Planning Authority, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Continental Shelf Department, and the Armed Forces of Malta played a role in securing the necessary permits, supporting the deployment process, and monitoring the buoy to ensure both operational success and security

The initiative is managed by Dr Adam Gauci and was carried out as part of Action C.16 of the LIFE-IP RBMP Project, led by EWA with contributions from ERA. The deployment of BLUE represents a substantial investment in Malta’s marine monitoring infrastructure and long-term oceanographic research capacity.

The buoy forms a key component of a broader ocean observing system operated by the Department of Geosciences. This network includes four HF radar stations that monitor sea currents and wave activity in real time across the Malta Channel, as well as eight coastal weather stations positioned in port areas to enhance maritime safety. Additional infrastructure includes wave buoys in St Paul’s Bay and Marsalforn, and sea level radar installations at Portomaso and Marsaxlokk.

All measurements are integrated with the operational systems of several national authorities to support decision-making and are also shared with international partners and European institutions via global platforms. The network is coordinated by Dr Adam Gauci, with support from Prof. Alan Deidun, Ms Audrey Zammit, and Mr David Ramirez Montano.

The growing network constitutes the backbone of a developing National Ocean Observing System - an essential step forward in equipping the country with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand and safeguard its marine environment.