The Parthenope University of Naples brought SEA-EU to the public at the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples, presenting the Alliance’s Joint Bachelor in Sustainable Blue Economy alongside its marine research. The event gave visitors a chance to explore how coastal universities connect education, technology and knowledge of the sea.
Bringing SEA-EU to the public
As SEA-EU’s only Italian partner, Parthenope used the regatta to introduce visitors to SeaBluE, the Joint Bachelor in Sustainable Blue Economy. The programme brings together seven universities within the nine-member SEA-EU Alliance, offering students an interdisciplinary education across European coastal institutions.
Parthenope also showcased its marine weather station and forecasting activities, the FairWind navigation and environmental monitoring platform, and a navigation simulator. Together, these exhibits offered visitors a view of the university’s work on the sea and the tools used to study it.
Meet Azzurra, the sail-powered drone
One of the presentations that drew public interest was Azzurra, an autonomous surface vehicle introduced by oceanographers from Parthenope’s Department of Science and Technology. Approximately two metres long, the marine drone moves using wind and a sail. It can follow programmed routes, while its missions can be adjusted in real time.
Solar panels power Azzurra’s instruments, which collect meteorological and oceanographic data. Following initial tests and missions in the Gulf of Naples and the Mediterranean, the drone is expected to take part in research projects in the cold waters of the Southern Ocean. Its ability to operate autonomously makes it particularly suited to remote and demanding environments.
Luna Rossa’s victory in the Naples Preliminary Regatta provided a memorable close to the event. For Parthenope and the whole Alliance, the regatta was also an opportunity to bring SEA-EU’s educational opportunities and marine research into direct contact with the public.
