Field-ready water-sampling solution
Challenge
An environmental monitoring agency needed a turnkey solution to conduct repeated hydrographic profiles and water‑sampling routines with a stable, integrated system that supports consistent workflows and reliably reports long‑term trends.
The data is collected across diverse conditions and vessel types, why the solution was required to:
- Operate reliably from RIBs, small workboats, and larger survey vessels
- Reduce deck complexity and handling time
- Maintain method consistency across multiple units or locations
- Secure data continuity amid shifting aquatic conditions
Segment
Ocean Science
Task
Deliver a cohesive, multi‑unit sampling solution that combines sensor excellence with robust mechanical design, enabling operators to capture CTD profiles, fluorescence, CDOM, dissolved oxygen, PAR, and water‑sampling data with minimal operational friction.
Scope of supply
MacArtney delivered a turnkey package integrating Sea‑Bird Scientific instrumentation with MacArtney‑engineered frames, topside units and handling features.
The supply included:
- 12 × profiling CTD systems (Sea‑Bird 19 Plus V2 with SBE43 DO, ECO triplets, PAR sensors)
- Carousel water samplers (SBE32 with 12 OTE bottles)
- 6‑bottle lightweight systems (SBE55 ECO–based)
- MacArtney‑built portable splash‑proof control boxes with SBE33 deck units
- Super‑lightweight “mini” water‑sampler variants for compact vessels
- System integration, training and onboarding
- Multi‑year calibration & service programme for long‑term support
Solution
Through close collaboration with Sea‑Bird Scientific and MacArtney’s workshop specialists, a full solution was engineered to secure data comparability, operational clarity, and field robustness.
Key elements included:
- Frame geometry and lifting points enabling single‑operator handling from small vessels
- Carousel configurations for larger offshore or coastal survey workflows
- Real‑time data feeds and logging across all units
- Integrated topsides ensuring that planning, profiling, bottle‑handling and data routines follow a uniform method, regardless of unit or vessel
- Calibration and service structure designed to maintain instrument accuracy over multi‑year monitoring cycles
Result
The delivered systems now support consistent environmental data collection across a wide range of operational scenarios.
Operators benefit from:
- Reduced deck complexity
- Easier daily workflows
- Consistent data across multiple units
- Dependable long‑term support for calibration and service
The combined Sea‑Bird/MacArtney approach has become a core monitoring setup for environmental data acquisition in national waters, enabling operators to focus on analysing trends rather than troubleshooting equipment.
