https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.997183Ayim, Samuel MSamuel MAyim0009-0007-0381-5669Carl von Ossietzky University of OldenburgRauch, CarstenCarstenRauch0009-0004-2469-6337Carl von Ossietzky University of OldenburgWurl, OliverOliverWurl0000-0002-0905-4721Carl von Ossietzky University of OldenburgPANGAEA2026autonomous surface vehicleessential climate variablesfield observationsGerman Bightnear-surface layerNorth Seasea-surface microlayership-basedskin layerEvent labelDATE/TIMELocationCountryLATITUDELONGITUDEPressure, atmosphericHumidity, relativeTemperature, airDew/frost pointWind speed at 2 m heightWind speed at 10 m heightWind direction, trueTemperature, technicalTemperature, waterConductivitySalinitySalinity, absolutePressure, waterShort-wave downward (GLOBAL) radiation, minimumShort-wave downward (GLOBAL) radiation, maximumTemperature, air, minimumTemperature, air, maximumHumidity, relative, minimumHumidity, relative, maximumDew/frost point, minimumDew/frost point maximumWind speed, minimumWind speed, maximumWind direction, minimumWind direction, maximumPressure, atmospheric, minimumPressure, atmospheric, maximumShort-wave downward (GLOBAL) radiationWind speedWind directionQuality flagCATAMARANCR1000X Datalaogger, Campbell ScientificGPS, Garmin, 16sWeather station, Campbell Scientific, METSENS550UV-A sensor, Apogee Instruments, SU-200-SS SeriesCTD, Idronaut, Ocean Seven 310Temperature Sensor, RBR Solo³T.D, RBR, RBRduet³Pyranometer, Kipp & Zonen, SMP6Hygro-Thermo-Transmitter-compact, RS485, Thies ClimaWeather station, Thies Clima, Climate Sensor US (CUS)HE650Heincke2024-11-06T08:26:00/2024-11-06T14:50:00Dataset990544 data pointstext/tab-separated-valuesCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 InternationalDuring the RV Heincke cruise HE650 in the German Bight, the autonomous surface vehicle HALOBATES was deployed to obtain high-resolution measurements of key climate variables, including sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity (SSS). The platform sampled the upper ocean across five depths, extending from the near-surface layer (NSL; approximately 30–100 cm depth) to the sea-surface microlayer (SML), which occupies the uppermost millimetres of the ocean. Temperature and conductivity, from which salinity was derived, were measured using conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) sensors integrated into HALOBATES' flow-through system. Additional temperature sensors mounted beneath the catamaran provided in situ observations at six NSL depths. Discrete water samples were used to calibrate the salinity measurements and account for potential sensor offsets. Meteorological conditions were simultaneously monitored using two data loggers equipped with meteorological stations installed on the catamaran. HALOBATES operated continuously during the deployment on 6th November 2024.This data collection was supported by the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.
The dataset comprises observations acquired by the autonomous surface vehicle HALOBATES during RV Heincke cruise HE650 in the German Bight, North Sea, on 6th November 2024. HALOBATES obtained conductivity and temperature measurements at multiple depths using CTD sensors integrated into a pumped flow-through system. Measurements of the sea-surface microlayer (SML), representing the uppermost millimetre of the ocean, were obtained using six partially submerged rotating glass discs, from which water was pumped to a dedicated CTD. Water from the near surface sampling depths was collected through intake tubes mounted on a ladder at the bow of the catamaran, providing measurements at depths of 30, 40, 60 and 100 cm.
Meteorological conditions were monitored by onboard weather stations, which measured variables including wind speed, air temperature and relative humidity. Two data loggers simultaneously recorded the meteorological observations and the GPS position of HALOBATES. The vehicle supported both manual operation and autonomous navigation. During station-based measurements, it could either drift passively with surface currents when the autopilot was disengaged or follow predetermined trajectories under autopilot control.
Quality-control flags ranging from 0 to 4 are provided, with their definitions documented in the metadata of the main data file. Observations assigned flags 1 and 2 are considered suitable for scientific use.7.958.015954.175554.187North Sea