The primary aim of the station at the port of Andratx (Mallorca) is to provide sea level measurements. For this purpose, the station is outfitted with a radar water level sensor and an atmospheric pressure sensor. By positioning the radar water level sensor directly above the water surface, it determines the water level by calculating the time elapsed between the emission of short microwave pulses and their return. The duration of these pulses directly corresponds to the distance to the actual water surface level.
The ITCS SOCIB has been managing this station since 2010. Between 2010 and 2023, the station was equipped with a water pressure gauge and an atmospheric pressure sensor. The combination of these two types of data is essential for calculating the height of the water column above the water pressure sensor using the hydrostatic equation. By referencing the sensor's position relative to the geoid, it is possible to obtain an absolute measurement of sea level.
