SOCIB Glider Facility

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Infrastructure Profile

Infrastructure Provider

Location

Port of Palma de Mallorca (Puerto de Palma de Mallorca)

Organisation & Address

Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB ), Parc Bit, Naorte, Bloc A 2ºp. pt. 3, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Infrastructure Webpage

Visit Website

Link to Vessel/Infrastructure Schedules (if applicable)

Normal Area of Operation

Western Mediterranean Sea

Maximum Number of Days Available

100 days

Overview

Depth Rating

0-1000 m

Length

1.5 m

Width

0.22 m

Total System Weight

55 – 70 kgs (dependent upon configuration)

Payload

SOCIB Gliders are equipped with a suite of sensors able to collect physical (temperature and conductivity), biogeochemical (chlorophyll fluorescence, oxygen, CDOM, PAR, backscatter at 700 nm and turbidity) and acoustic observations

Endurance (AUV, Gliders, USV)

Up to 100 days

Scientific and Technical Specifications

General Information

SOCIB is offering access to its glider fleet based in the Balearic Islands, as described here. This is a unique opportunity for scientists and engineers to use high-quality autonomous underwater infrastructure operating in coastal, shelf, and open sea areas for carrying out research, monitoring, and/or testing activities. The requested access to SOCIB’s Glider Facility and their available infrastructure can follow three modes:

-Remote: the experiment is implemented by SOCIB and the presence of the user group is not required;

-Partially remote: the presence of the user group is required at some stage of the experiment;

-In person/hands-on: the presence of the user group is required during the whole access period of the experiment.

Vessel Requirements (if applicable)

Thrusters

Cameras

Positioning (USBL, etc.)

Instruments/Scientific Payload

SOCIB equipped with a suite of sensors able to collect physical (temperature and conductivity), biogeochemical (chlorophyll fluorescence, oxygen, CDOM, PAR, backscatter at 700 nm and turbidity) and acoustic observations

Optional Items

SOCIB’s Glider Facility offers External Users Access to ocean gliders, global leading edge platforms for international research and technology development, to complement its routine and strategic programme of glider endurance lines in the Mediterranean. For process-oriented studies (for example complementing a dedicated R/V cruise), a minimum of 7 days usage is required. Longer monitoring proposals of typically 30 days or more are encouraged.

Manipulators

TMS (Tether Management System (ROV ONLY)), LARS details (if applicable)

Support offered to AQUARIUS users

SOCIB glider services:

1) Access to glider platforms prepared and ready for operation in line with the highest international standards

2) Qualified personnel for the management of the gliders (platforms and sensors), including logistics for deployment and recovery

3) 24/7 operational system to pilot the gliders at sea

4) Access to a collaborative piloting system

5) Quasi Real Time (<8 hours) reception of data

6) A post-mission glider report

7) Data Management Services (e.g. data processing, data archiving, and preservation)

8) Data publication on the SOCIB repository, DOI minting, real-time visualization, semi-automatic quality control, distribution to the main European data portals

Infrastructure Availability and Contact Details

Year 2025

1) Western Mediterranean Sea

2) During the year

Year 2026

1) Western Mediterranean Sea

2) During the year

Year 2027

1) Western Mediterranean Sea

2) During the year

Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application

nzarokanellos[at]socib.es

Certification and Clearance Requirements

Diplomatic clearances or permits required for area or type of activity

In the Western Mediterranean Sea, within European countries EEZs

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SOCIB Glider Facility

Integrating Research Infrastructures – Connecting Scientists – Enabling Transnational Access

for healthy and sustainable marine and freshwater ecosystems