Spotter Platform
An extensible ocean sensing platform delivering real-time surface and subsurface data to researchers, operators, and innovators
Connected
Use the Spotter Dashboard and API to access real-time data sent via satellite and cellular and stored in the cloud. Two-way communication reduces downtime and enables over-the-air firmware updates.
Scaleable
Significantly lower total cost of ownership compared to traditional platforms. Deploy Spotters at scale to maximize the spatial density of observational networks.
Rapidly Deployable
Easy to deploy by hand without prior experience. Rugged design has enabled thousands of successful deployments from all vessel types.
Extremely Durable
Designed by ocean engineers and scientists and proven to withstand any marine environment, from ice to high latitudes to extreme heat. Operates continuously using a solar rechargeable battery.
Flexible Platform, Real-Time Data
Build multimodal sensing networks that collect and transmit highly accurate and peer-reviewed data in real-time, from surface to seabed.
Surface. Use Spotter buoys to make direct observations of wave spectra, wind, sea surface temperature, and atmospheric pressure. Deploy free-drifting or anchor with conventional mooring.
Wave & Wave Spectra
Wind
Surface Temp.
Atmospheric Pressure
Surface
Equip the Spotter system with additional off-the-shelf sensors and devices using the Bristlemouth open ocean connectivity standard. Leverage the Bristlemouth DevKit to simplify complex customizations.
Latest Updates
August, 08, 2023
Enhancing operational safety and efficiency at offshore wind sites with Luode
Latest Updates
August, 08, 2023
Enhancing operational safety and efficiency at offshore wind sites with Luode
Surface
Equip the Spotter system with additional off-the-shelf sensors and devices using the Bristlemouth open ocean connectivity standard. Leverage the Bristlemouth DevKit to simplify complex customizations.
Subsurface. Deploy Spotter with Smart Mooring to make observations above and below the surface. Measure subsurface temperature and water level out of the box. All data is sent to Dashboard and API in real-time via Spotter.
Water Level
Subsurface Temp.
Customizable. Equip the Spotter system with additional off-the-shelf sensors and devices using the Bristlemouth open ocean connectivity standard. Leverage the Bristlemouth DevKit to simplify complex customizations.
Customizable. Equip the Spotter system with additional off-the-shelf sensors and devices using the Bristlemouth open ocean connectivity standard. Leverage the Bristlemouth Development Kit to simplify complex customizations.
Turbidity
Acidity
pCO2
CTD
Cameras
Hydrophone
More with DevKit
Customizable
An open standard delivering plug-and-play hardware interfaces for marine applications.
Instant Data Access, User-Friendly Dashboard
The modern and easy-to-use Spotter Dashboard features two-way communication enabled by satellite and cellular connectivity.
Remotely access, view, and download surface and subsurface data.
View real-time and historical data. Quickly access real-time Spotter and Smart Mooring observations or analyze historical time series. Easily download and export all data.
Seamlessly adjust device settings. Remotely configure Spotter platform settings using two-way communication. Set geofence, timefence, and custom sensor notifications.
Update firmware remotely. Skip the boat trip and use Spotter’s cellular connection to initiate over-the-air firmware updates.
Visualize Data with Easy-to-Use API
Thorough documentation, REST APIs, clean JSON, and cloud storage ensure seamless data access for developers and data scientists. Build custom dashboards to visualize forecast data and direct observations.
Networks Built by Our Partners
Aqualink Map
Aqualink
Seagull
Great Lakes Observatory System
WAWaves
University of Western Australia
Access Sofar’s Planetary-Scale Ocean Data
Want immediate access to our planetary-scale ocean data? Tap into the Sofar API to leverage our highly accurate marine weather forecasts and the direct observations made by our global network of Spotter platforms.
Superior forecasts, anywhere in the ocean. Access forecasts, hindcasts, and map tiles for any region. Our forecasts outperform traditional models at all lead times by assimilating the more than 1.5 million daily observations made by our global network of free-drifting Spotters.
Access in situ observations at scale. View recent and historical data collected by our global network of Spotters. Filter by geographic area and time period to increase operational awareness.
What Our Customers Are Saying
“The purchase and operating cost of the Spotter is much lower than the large buoy so we are now using it as our primary offshore wave data source. We have purchased a second Spotter to allow them to be regularly swapped over while moorings are checked and biofouling removed.”
Engineering Adviser, Lyttelton Port Company
Neil McLennan
“We decided to use the Spotter wave buoys as part of the MASRI project for multiple reasons. The buoys are very affordable, small, lightweight and easy to maintain. The mooring is also convenient to deploy and affordable. The Spotter buoy measures the most important parameters such as spectra wave conditions, sea surface temperature and local wind, which no other buoys can. The real-time access and included dashboard and API are very useful to keep an eye on the data. These advantages allowed us to deploy multiple buoys instead of one more expensive traditional buoy."
Branch Director, National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology
Ivan Ivanov
“With its proven reliability, accuracy and well-established scientific credentials the Spotter buoy from Sofar Ocean provides the Brazilian Navy with the ability to operate at high-latitude regions that receive very little sunlight, while providing 2-way communication via its built-in satellite modem.”
Captain, Brazilian Navy
Capt. Tobias Ramalho
“Most moored buoys in the Great Lakes require significant time and financial investment, a highly qualified team of technicians, scientists, and engineers, as well as mid-size vessels for deployments and retrievals. For this reason, several labs turned to small, lightweight, and relatively easy-to-deploy options, like Sofar Ocean’s Spotter buoy.”
Communications Specialist, Great Lakes Observing System
David Fitch