The SailingLab, launched as part of the PartArt4OW project, has begun its Mediterranean journey equipped with cutting-edge ocean data collection technologies provided through the European project CS-MACH1, coordinated by CMCC. The initiative brings together art, science and local communities to promote ocean protection.

PartArt4OW, a EU-funded project under the Horizon Europe programme and the European Commission’s Mission Ocean, is officially launching the SailingLab, a transdisciplinary mobile research platform that will navigate the central-western Mediterranean between June and July 2026.

Designed as a voyage of research, documentation, and civic participation, the expedition aims to highlight the most pressing marine environmental challenges, like plastic pollution or rising sea temperatures, through the dialogue between science, art, and local communities. The SailingLab will visit coastal sites hosting Participatory Art Initiatives (PAIs), creative projects developed to strengthen the bond between society and marine ecosystems.

The official departure ceremony took place on 28 June 2026 at 17:00 at the Lega Navale di Anzio, and featured several institutional representatives, Aurelio Lo Fazio (mayor of Anzio), the project co-ordinators Chiara Certomà (Sapienza University of Rome) and Federico Fornaro (Managing Director at Raw-News). During the ceremony, the mission’s objectives and the network of national and international research partners was presented to the public. CMCC scientist Viviana Piermattei, CS-MACH1 project coordinator, participated in the departure ceremony and presented the project objectives and framework.

A core component of the SailingLab is its role as a mobile scientific observatory. To monitor the health of the Mediterranean, the vessel will be equipped with advanced citizen science kits provided by the European project CS-MACH1. A very interesting tool provided for the SailingLab is Meteotracker, a citizen-powered environmental monitoring platform that transforms moving vehicles and vessels into mobile weather stations. Using low-cost devices to collect real-time atmospheric and geolocated data such as air temperature, humidity, pressure and weather conditions, MeteoTracker helps improve local forecasting, climate observation and environmental research.

These tools will allow the crew to collect essential oceanographic data during navigation, integrating academic research with active community contributions. The collaboration with CS- MACH1 highlights the importance of standardising and democratising marine data, turning every leg of the journey into an opportunity for shared scientific knowledge.

After departing from Anzio, the SailingLab will visit several strategic locations, including Ventotene (1 July), Naples and Bagnoli (5-6 July), Salerno (8 July), Sardinia and Carloforte, Barcelona and Badalona (24-28 July).