Obtaining marine and over-water atmospheric measurments is extremely, and often prohibitively, expensive. However, having such data is crucial in order to address many scientific questions associated with the physics, chemistry and biology of the Long Island Sound and its interaction with the atmosphere. The potential for using Long Island Sound ferries as observing platforms represents a tremendous opportunity for obtaining routine, long-period records of a number of important environmental variables. As proposed and outlined by the Joint Research Project, the specific plan for developing the Long Island Sound ferry-based observing system involves equiping ferries along the Bridgeport - Port Jefferson (BPJ) and New London - Orient Point (NLOP) transects with marine sampling instruments and in addition equiping the BPJ ferry with meteorological instruments. The marine instrument packages include Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) to measure the vertical profile of the current along the ferry transects and sensors to measure the temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and Chlorophyll of the near-surface waters. The meteorological package includes sensors to measure near-surface atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, wind, rainfall as well as incoming solar and infrared radiation. This suite of meteorological instruments, along with the sea surface temperature measurements, provides the means to estimate the exchange of heat, momentum and freshwater between the atmosphere and the Long Island Sound.

Both systems are to be monitored in real-time using cellular modem connections that will allow the data to be transferred in real-time (e.g., within 10-15 minutes) and provide the means to respond more rapidly if components of the system become inoperable. Each system will also include a Global Positioning System (GPS) to provide the latitude and longitude for each data sample as well as a compass to provide vessel orientation. In addition, data will be displayed on board the ferries as well in real-time to provide the observed information to the passengers and crew. Details regarding the technical framework and instruments for the BPJ ferry are given under System Description.

It is important to note that use of the ferries represents substantial in-kind contributions, without which would entirely prohibit the above sort of sampling scheme and thus the ability to address many of the project's Scientific Objectives.