At a remote site,
the real cost is the visit

Met-ocean monitoring is the measurement of meteorological and oceanographic conditions at a particular location. Depending on the application, this can include wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, wave conditions and other environmental parameters. Gill provides ultrasonic wind sensors, integrated weather stations and optical rainfall measurement for marine, coastal and remote monitoring applications.

Met-ocean monitoring systems commonly use sensors for wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and rainfall, with additional oceanographic sensors used where required. Gill provides WindSonic, WindObserver and WindUltra ultrasonic anemometers, MaxiMet and MetConnect weather stations, and the TruMet PW100 optical rain gauge for different monitoring requirements.

A weather station provides continuous measurements of local atmospheric conditions, allowing operators and researchers to monitor how weather changes over time. Coastal weather stations may be used for marine operations, environmental monitoring, infrastructure management, research and long-term climate datasets. Gill’s MaxiMet range combines multiple meteorological measurements in a compact instrument for applications where several parameters need to be collected from one location.

There is no single weather station that is best for every environmental monitoring application. The appropriate system depends on the parameters being measured, required accuracy, environmental conditions, power availability, communications and installation requirements. Gill’s MaxiMet range can be appropriate where several meteorological measurements need to be collected from the same location, while MetConnect provides a more flexible architecture where sensors need to be positioned separately or additional sensors incorporated.

The best wind sensor for a harsh environment depends on the exposure, wind range, temperature, icing risk, installation, materials and any required certification. Gill provides several ultrasonic wind sensors for demanding environments. WindObserver uses a robust 316 stainless-steel construction and heated configurations are available, while WindUltra provides a compact, lightweight option with heating fitted as standard and high levels of environmental protection.

Ultrasonic wind sensors measure wind speed and direction without rotating cups, vanes or bearings. This removes mechanical components from the wind-sensing mechanism and eliminates a source of mechanical wear, which can be particularly valuable where equipment is deployed remotely and maintenance visits are expensive or difficult. Gill has developed ultrasonic wind measurement for more than 40 years and supplies sensors for offshore buoys, coastal stations and other unattended installations.

A buoy-mounted wind sensor should be selected according to wind range, accuracy, weight, power consumption, environmental protection, communications and the physical mounting arrangement. Maintenance access is also important because a sensor failure can require a vessel visit and suitable weather window. Gill’s WindSonic and WindUltra are both compact options for buoy applications, while MaxiMet can provide multiple meteorological measurements where a wider dataset is required.

Wind on an offshore buoy is typically measured using a wind sensor mounted above the buoy structure to obtain a representative measurement while minimising airflow disturbance. The sensor also needs to withstand salt spray, moisture, movement and long periods without maintenance. Gill ultrasonic wind sensors are used in remote buoy applications, including AXYS WatchKeeper buoys, where low power consumption and the absence of moving wind-sensing components are valuable.

The required accuracy depends on the purpose of the measurement. A sensor used for general weather monitoring may have different requirements from one used for research, aviation, wind-energy assessment or a reference dataset. The wind range, resolution, environmental conditions and consequences of measurement error should all be considered alongside accuracy. Gill provides wind sensors across different performance levels, allowing the specification to be matched to the application rather than automatically selecting the highest specification.

The sensor should cover the credible wind conditions expected at the deployment site, including the upper range relevant to the application. Selecting a sensor with insufficient range can compromise measurements during severe conditions, while specifying substantially more range than the application requires may add cost without practical benefit. Gill provides ultrasonic wind sensors covering different wind-speed ranges, including WindSonic to 60 m/s, WindUltra to 75 m/s and WindObserver configurations for higher-performance marine and offshore applications.

A wind sensor should be positioned where it can obtain a representative measurement while minimising airflow disturbance from masts, buildings, platforms, railings and other structures. The appropriate mounting arrangement depends on the site and the purpose of the monitoring programme. Gill can provide application guidance on sensor selection and positioning for coastal and met-ocean installations.

Wind sensors can be calibrated by comparing their measurements against traceable reference equipment under controlled conditions. The appropriate calibration method and interval depend on the instrument, application, required measurement confidence and applicable quality procedures. Labcal is an independent UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory that provides calibration for anemometers and other measurement equipment from a wide range of manufacturers.

There is no universal calibration interval for every weather station. The appropriate interval depends on the equipment, measurement requirements, deployment conditions, quality system and consequences of measurement error. Operators should establish a calibration and verification regime appropriate to the application rather than applying a generic interval to every installation. Labcal provides independent UKAS-accredited calibration across six measurement parameters.

A wind sensor measures wind speed and direction, whereas a weather station combines wind measurement with additional meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. Gill provides both individual ultrasonic wind sensors, including WindSonic and WindObserver, and integrated weather stations such as MaxiMet and MetConnect.

MaxiMet is a compact integrated weather station designed to combine multiple meteorological measurements within a single instrument. MetConnect uses a more flexible architecture, allowing core measurements and additional connected sensors to be combined while sensors can be positioned at different locations or heights. Gill provides both systems so the weather-station architecture can be matched to the physical requirements of the monitoring site.

Met-ocean monitoring systems commonly use low-power and established communications interfaces such as SDI-12, RS232, RS422, RS485, NMEA 0183 and Modbus, depending on the application and receiving equipment. Gill provides these interfaces across its environmental sensing range, allowing sensors and weather stations to integrate with data loggers, telemetry systems, marine equipment and wider monitoring networks.

Maintenance can be reduced by selecting sensing technologies with fewer mechanical components, appropriate environmental protection and low power requirements. Gill ultrasonic wind sensors have no rotating wind-sensing components, while the TruMet PW100 uses optical rainfall measurement without a tipping bucket. These approaches remove mechanical failure points that can otherwise create maintenance requirements at remote sites.

The appropriate rainfall sensor depends on the required measurement range, accuracy, environmental conditions and monitoring architecture. Gill’s TruMet PW100 uses infrared optical measurement rather than a mechanical tipping bucket, providing rainfall measurement without a funnel or moving bucket mechanism. It is designed for remote and coastal applications where reducing mechanical failure points is valuable.

Yes. Weather stations and met-ocean monitoring systems can be designed for solar- or battery-powered operation where power availability is limited. Power consumption, measurement frequency, communications and telemetry duty cycle all need to be considered when sizing the power system. Gill provides low-power environmental sensing technologies and can advise on the appropriate configuration for remote deployments.

Coastal environmental monitoring can require wind, temperature, humidity, pressure and rainfall measurements, alongside additional oceanographic measurements depending on the programme. Gill provides ultrasonic wind sensors, integrated MaxiMet and MetConnect weather stations and the TruMet PW100 optical rain gauge for coastal and environmental monitoring applications.

Yes. Gill environmental sensors support established interfaces used by data loggers and telemetry systems, including SDI-12, RS232, RS422, RS485 and NMEA 0183 on applicable products. This allows the sensor to form part of an existing monitoring architecture rather than requiring an entirely new data system.

SDI-12 is a low-power serial communication standard widely used for environmental and hydrological monitoring systems. It allows sensors to communicate with data loggers while supporting the low-power requirements common to remote, solar- and battery-powered installations. Gill provides SDI-12 output on relevant environmental sensors and weather stations.

The appropriate wind sensor depends on the required wind range, accuracy, environmental exposure, power budget, communications and installation. Gill’s WindSonic provides a compact, low-power option, WindUltra combines low weight with high environmental protection, and WindObserver provides a robust 316 stainless-steel configuration for more demanding exposed environments.

Yes. Gill weather stations and ultrasonic wind sensors are suitable for a range of remote marine monitoring applications. MaxiMet can combine several meteorological measurements in one compact unit, while individual Gill anemometers can be integrated into buoy systems where wind measurement is the primary requirement.

Yes. Gill’s Research range provides three-axis wind measurement at output rates up to 50 or 100 Hz for applications including turbulence and eddy covariance work. These instruments are individually calibrated and designed for research applications where high-speed, three-dimensional wind measurement is required.

Eddy covariance is a measurement technique used to quantify exchanges of gases, heat and energy between the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. It requires high-frequency measurements of three-dimensional wind velocity alongside other variables relevant to the flux being studied. Gill’s Research wind sensors provide three-axis measurement at high output rates and can form part of an eddy covariance measurement system.

Continuous environmental monitoring can provide information about wind, rainfall and other conditions affecting coastal infrastructure and operations. Depending on the application, this information can support asset management, operational planning, safety, environmental assessment and long-term analysis. Gill provides environmental sensing technologies for exposed coastal and infrastructure monitoring where dependable data and low maintenance are important.

The specification should consider the measurements required, expected environmental conditions, wind range, accuracy, power availability, communications, data-logging requirements, physical mounting and the length of time between maintenance visits. The cost of accessing the installation should also be considered because the cheapest sensor to purchase is not necessarily the lowest-cost solution over its deployment life. Gill can help assess the sensing and integration requirements for a remote monitoring application.