Project
Bluewater
Racing
SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH PLATFORM
Project Bluewater Racing integrates offshore sailing with cutting-edge coastal oceanography to advance scientific understanding of our changing ocean. Using our vessel as a mobile research platform, we conduct targeted sampling and small-scale research cruises in regions that are often under-observed by traditional research vessels.
our aims
Our vessel has a unique position as a novel platform for scientific observations at sea that is more economical and sustainable than a traditional research vessels, with enhanced capabilities to navigate remote, restricted waterways. These observations may include without limitation:
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Microplastics sampling: inshore, nearshore, or offshore, we use these observations to link pollution with mass water circulation and human activity
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Hydrophone deployment: listening to marine life, can provide an opportunity to gain further insight into species’ behaviors.
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Drifter deployment: deployment of Lagrangian drifters, allows the study of oceanographic circulation and improves our understanding of weather and climate.
greener research
scientific
partnerships
We are currently leading a microplastics water sampling campaign in collaboration with the Deheyn Lab at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
By collecting seawater samples, we are helping quantify the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in San Diego Bay.
We are searching for more science-driven partnerships. Project Bluewater Racing can provide marine access with reduced impact, extended time at sea, and opportunistic sampling around races and transits. These partnerships allow academic researchers and community scientists to expand their spatial and temporal coverage while keeping costs low and data collection flexible.
If you are interested in building a scientific partnership with us, contact us to find out about vessel availability
The unique nature of our vessel(s) and mission serves as an exciting opportunity to engage the broader community with scientific education initiatives, serving to connect local community members with ongoing coastal ecology and sustainability efforts.
We can serve as a pilot for citizen science efforts that can be scaled up to more members of the boating community. By showing the impact of recreational watercraft as an observing platform, we can inspire others in the boating community to join us in advancing ocean science.
By combining competitive sailing, collaborative partnerships, and hands-on field research, Project Bluewater Racing expands access to the ocean as a laboratory; supporting rigorous science, training opportunities, and actionable data for coastal communities.
