Seeing the Ocean Clearly: Why Pairing the SeaOWL UV-A™ with the SBE 19plus V2 Matters

As offshore energy operations expand—from oil and gas platforms to offshore wind farms—so does the need to understand the ocean environments they inhabit. These are not just industrial zones; they’re dynamic, sensitive ecosystems where change can be subtle, sudden, or both. Monitoring these environments isn’t just a regulatory checkbox—it’s a responsibility.

The Ocean Doesn’t Stand Still

The ocean is in constant motion. Currents shift, temperatures fluctuate, and biological activity ebbs and flows. For offshore operators and environmental consultants, this complexity presents a challenge: how do you monitor something that’s always changing?

Whether it’s detecting a hydrocarbon leak, establishing a baseline before construction, or tracking long-term environmental trends, the tools we use must be just as dynamic and responsive as the ocean itself.

Two Instruments, One Integrated Perspective

That’s where the SeaOWL UV-A™ and the SBE 19plus V2 SeaCAT Profiler CTD come in—not as standalone instruments, but as a complementary pair that offers a more complete picture of what’s happening below the surface.

SeaOWL UV-A™: Seeing What the Eye Can’t

The SeaOWL UV-A™ is designed to detect oil in water with remarkable precision. It doesn’t just spot hydrocarbons—it distinguishes them from naturally occurring substances like phytoplankton and colored dissolved organic matter (fDOM). This matters because false positives can lead to unnecessary alarms, while missed detections can have serious environmental consequences.

With its high optical resolution and dynamic gain modulation, the SeaOWL UV-A™ adapts to changing conditions, making it ideal for both routine monitoring and rapid response.

SBE 19plus V2: The Ocean’s Vital Signs

Meanwhile, the SBE 19plus V2 is like a vital signs monitor for the ocean. It measures conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD)—the foundational parameters that influence everything from current flow to contaminant dispersion. Its ability to integrate with auxiliary sensors means it can also track dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, and more.

Together, these instruments don’t just collect data—they tell a story.

Why the Combination Matters

When deployed together, the SeaOWL UV-A™ and SBE 19plus V2 offer more than the sum of their parts. You’re not just detecting oil—you’re understanding the conditions that affect its movement and impact. You’re not just logging temperature—you’re contextualizing it within a broader environmental picture.

This integrated approach enables:

• Faster, more informed responses to environmental incidents
• Deeper insight into baseline and long-term trends
• Greater confidence in meeting regulatory and ESG commitments

From Data to Decisions

In the end, it’s not just about having the right tools—it’s about using them together to make better decisions. Offshore environments are too important, and too complex, to monitor in isolation. By combining the SeaOWL UV-A™ and the SBE 19plus V2, we move closer to a future where offshore energy and ocean stewardship go hand in hand.

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