The catamaran Gara Itsasoa, docked at Marina Lanzarote, becomes a scientific platform capable of supporting researchers from across the central Atlantic. With laboratories, underwater drones, and a three-week autonomy, the vessel aims to position the island as a reference in oceanography.
The Gara Itsasoa is already navigating the waters of Lanzarote, but it is not just any recreational boat. This 22-metre aluminium catamaran houses a wet laboratory, a dry laboratory, and an arsenal of oceanographic equipment that make it a floating scientific base. Docked at Marina Lanzarote, the project seeks to bring science closer to the ocean and, in the process, put the island on the map of marine research in Macaronesia.
A catamaran with a scientific vocation
The Gara Itsasoa is not an ordinary boat. It is equipped with an observation underwater drone capable of recording seabeds and collecting physical samples, as well as systems for capturing plankton, nets for microplastics, oceanographic sensors, and sediment and water analysis equipment. All of this is integrated into a platform that allows for real-time studies, even far from the coast.
Its captain, Eduardo Pérez, defines it as a boat that provides technical support to researchers. “We are a boat that provides technical support to researchers”, he explains. The clarification is necessary: the Gara Itsasoa does not replace universities or research centres, but rather provides the tools and logistics for scientists to work directly on the sea.
The choice of Lanzarote as a home port is due to its strategic position in Macaronesia, a region that includes the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Azores, and Cape Verde. This area is key for studying marine biodiversity, climate change, and ocean pollution, and from the island, a wide operational zone can be accessed.
Cutting-edge technology for three weeks at sea
One of the project's major advantages is its autonomy. The Gara Itsasoa can remain at sea for up to three weeks thanks to its energy generation systems, desalination units, and water and fuel tanks. Sailing is the primary mode of navigation, reducing energy consumption and the environmental footprint of scientific campaigns.
On board, researchers have access to an oceanographic rosette with multiparametric sensors to measure temperature, salinity, and other variables. It also features a hydrophone for capturing underwater sounds and sampling systems that operate hundreds of metres deep. All of this is in a habitable space for the crew and scientists, with common areas adapted for technical meetings.
For the residents of Lanzarote, this boat represents a unique opportunity. The project includes a scientific outreach programme called Aula de Mar, which transforms its facilities into an educational space when the boat is docked. Schoolchildren, students, and citizens will be able to participate in workshops, talks, and guided tours on marine conservation.
The initiative has already sparked interest from universities and scientific organisations across the central Atlantic. The Gara Itsasoa aims to collaborate with entities from the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde, and the Canary Islands, offering infrastructure that has been difficult to find in the island environment until now.
Meanwhile, the catamaran remains docked at Marina Lanzarote, ready to set sail on its first campaign. Those interested in learning more can check the upcoming open days that will be organised through Aula de Mar. Science finally has a boat in Lanzarote.
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