Sea trials of SESAMO: an autonomous surface vessel for the study of the air-sea interface

Sea trials and scientific exploitation of the SESAMO platform, an autonomous catamaran for data acquisition and sampling for biological, chemical and physical investigations on the air-sea interface are presented. The SESAMO platform is equipped with modules for the collection of surface microlayer, sampling of subsurface water, and survey in situ of water column and atmosphere parameters, along paths specified by the scientific end-users. Results of sea trials and operations during the XIX Italian Expedition to Antarctica, in January- February 2004, are presented and discussed.