The system presented in this paper demonstrates how a novel fiber optic based sensing platform, capable of detecting minute changes in the level of impurity in a liquid, can be incorporated onto a Mote-based platform enabling real time monitoring of a body of water. How these features can be used to detect representative samples, such as hydrocarbons and chlorophyll within a maritime environment, is demonstrated. Systems currently deployed worldwide include satellite mapping technology and high-cost water monitoring platforms. Growing international emphasis on the management of water quality is giving rise to an expansion of the international market for novel robust, miniaturized, intelligent water monitoring systems capable of measuring local environmentally detrimental events such as localised small scale chemical pollution.The system presented in this paper demonstrates how a novel fiber optic based sensing platform, capable of detecting minute changes in the level of impurity in a liquid, can be incorporated onto a Mote-based platform enabling real time monitoring of a body of water. How these features can be used to detect representative samples, such as hydrocarbons and chlorophyll within a maritime environment, is demonstrated. Systems currently deployed worldwide include satellite mapping technology and high-cost water monitoring platforms. Growing international emphasis on the management of water quality is giving rise to an expansion of the international market for novel robust, miniaturized, intelligent water monitoring systems capable of measuring local environmentally detrimental events such as localised small scale chemical pollution.