A new era of ocean science is on the horizon. As the SubRacing Series starts to redefine subsea sport, its scientific sibling—the Subsea Observation System—will revolutionize how we monitor, understand, and interact with the nearshore ocean environment. 

The dynamics of the global oceans have been studied, sampled and modelled for decades but these models often differ from actual conditions in the coastal zones with inshore bays and shallow depths. However, to hold more complex submarine races in these areas the SubRacing Series aim to reinvest the results of the racing activities into a long-term scientific study of inshore waters to create digital twins which provide accurate oceanic data to the submarine pilots and coastal communities where any arena is located. 

Through Subsea Observation System, every racing arena will become a living laboratory: closely monitored, data-rich, and digitally mirrored. These nodes will not only support the sport but will serve as persistent environmental sentinels. The inshore ocean will no longer be under-observed—it will be under continuous watch. 

Subsea Observation System will work with local partners to develop digital twins for our racing sites by deploying long-term, real-time data acquisition systems in each future SubRacing Series race arena. These systems will transform racing sites into smart marine observatories, generating uninterrupted streams of physical, chemical, and ecological data. 

They will also serve as ‘learning platforms’ where young digital engineers and scientists can work with small scale models to learn the skills and integrations required to produce large scale digital models. 

Over time, Subsea Observation System will connect these arena-based nodes into a global network. Together, they will feed high-resolution, real-time data into the creation of a Digital Twin of the Nearshore Ocean—a powerful simulation platform that will drive innovation in engineering, ecosystem management, climate science, and beyond.

Our ambition is to generate a living, learning digital model of the coastal ocean in our racing arenas, which is fed by sensor arrays that track critical factors such as seafloor topography, water chemistry and current velocities to evaluate racing options and ecosystem health. 

This virtual model will: 

• Validate and refine oceanographic and climate models for inshore areas. 

• Help us design racing infrastructure in shallow litorals. 

• Provide real-time race conditions for the SubRacing events 

• Help create models for virtual testing of subsea craft and sensors. 

• Power public dashboards and educational tools during races. 

• Support conservation planning with real-time insights. 

By embedding measurement into the fabric of the racing experience, Subsea Observation System will ensure our submarine races and events also become moments of scientific progress. 

Each Submarine Racing Arena will be surveyed with advanced instrumentation so that our pilots can use the detailed information to plan their dives. 

We will start by using Multibeam sonar to understand the seafloor bathymetry, in some cases supported by Sidescan sonar for sediment and habitat mapping or Sub-bottom profilers to measure sediment structure. 

Detailed real-time information will come from ADCPs (Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers) and turbidity sondes to capture currents and water quality, when added to real-time Meteorological sensors for wind, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure, our pilots will have all the data they need to plan their races.

Subsea Observation System will leverage both autonomous platforms (such as USVs) and vessel-based systems, enabling agile deployment and scalable expansion. These technologies will be designed to run continuously, with minimal intervention and maximum interoperability. 

As the global economy increasingly turns to the sea, Subsea Observation System will provide the foundational data to ensure that growth is sustainable and evidence based. Key sectors that will benefit include: 

• Fisheries and aquaculture: real-time monitoring will enhance yield and sustainability. 

• Tourism and recreation: clean, healthy, and understood waters will attract eco-tourism. 

• Renewable energy: precise site data will support offshore wind and tidal power. 

• Maritime logistics: navigational safety and port operations will improve with real-time data. 

• Biotech and pharma: ecological insights will support innovation and discovery. 

By enabling smarter ocean use, the models developed will underpin a thriving nearshore Blue Economy—while safeguarding the ecosystems it depends on. 

Subsea Observation System will embed sustainability into every layer of its operation: 

• Environmental: low-impact infrastructure, biodegradable materials, and restoration programs (e.g. seagrass planting, artificial reef support). 

• Social: engagement with local communities, citizen science initiatives, and educational platforms. 

• Economic: enabling local businesses, driving tourism, and attracting sponsorships rooted in ocean stewardship. 

By design, our models will be a visible and credible tool for ocean conservation—transforming public engagement from passive awareness to active stewardship. 

Every Subsea Observation System arena will be chosen for its scientific, ecological, and cultural value. By anchoring observatories in diverse coastal settings—ranging from the rugged Atlantic to the biodiverse tropics—these models will capture the true variability of nearshore ecosystems. 

These arenas will not only support SubRacing Series competition but will become local hubs of innovation: training grounds for ocean engineers, testing sites for new tech, and platforms for international collaboration. 

Subsea Observation System will align with the UN Ocean Decade Goals (specifically Challenges 8, 9, and 10), and seek formal recognition as a Decade Action, positioning it as a flagship contributor to global ocean health. 

In the near future, the SubRacing Series won’t just thrill spectators—it will energize a new generation of ocean science. Subsea Observation System will be the invisible engine beneath the race: a network of subsea observatories, digital twins, and real-time data flows that will transform our relationship with the sea. 

Through this initiative, the inshore ocean will no longer be a blind spot in global science. It will become a high-resolution, continuously monitored system—open, accessible, and understood. 

This is more than a race. This is a scientific moonshot—beneath the waves. 

By focusing this round of competition 2P/H-2025 on design for production rather than physical prototype development, the competition will maximize global participation and encourage bold, innovative ideas without manufacturing constraints. The next round of competition will focus on converting these designs into race-worthy submarines.