AQUARIUS combines an impressive range of 57 research infrastructure services through the integrated availability of, research vessels, mobile marine observation platforms (autonomous underwater and surface vehicles, gliders, remotely operated vehicles, and ferry boxes), aircraft, drones, satellites, sensors, fixed freshwater and marine observatories and test sites, data buoys, experimental facilities, and sophisticated data infrastructures.

The integration of these services reflects a critical need for a more holistic approach to support research and innovation towards achieving healthy, sustainable and protected oceans and waters.

The AQUARIUS portfolio of research infrastructures can be offered through transnational, remote and virtual access.

• Transnational Access (TA) means free of charge, transnational access to research infrastructures or installations for selected user groups. The access includes the logistical, technological and scientific support and the specific training that is usually provided to external researchers using the infrastructure.
• Remote Access (RA) is a form of Transnational Access in which the user(s) do not visit the infrastructure or installation physically themselves, instead the staff of the infrastructure or installation conducts the study/collects the samples/does the monitoring for the user(s) according to their research plan.
• Virtual Access (VA) means free and open access to stations’ data and databases for everyone, without selection or evaluation processes.