Apparatus and associated methods relate to a self-contained ocean data and acquisition module (SCODAM) configured to mount to a floating body and having a sensor array, geospatial locating engine, wave measurement engine, communication engine to transmit collected data to a remote device, an energy conversion module adapted to convert ambient energy inputs into electrical energy, and an energy storage module configured to receive the converted electrical energy and to supply operating power to the SCODAM. In an illustrative example, the SCODAM may be configured to generate a transfer function based on motion characterization data obtained in a training mode corresponding to motion of the floating body in response to perturbation in a predetermined sequence and to apply the transfer function data obtained by the wave measurement engine to determine wave motion. Various embodiments may advantageously facilitate use of an existing floating body as an ocean data acquisition system (ODAS).
