Water samples have been collected at the Panulirus (aka Hydrostation S) site, located about 25 kilometers southeast of Bermuda, since 1954 when Henry 'Hank' Stommel and co-workers initiated repeat biweekly hydrographic measurements and observations.

The bottle samples were originally collected from Hydrocasts using Niskin bottles and reversing thermometers for temperature and thermometric depth. CTD profiling was introduced to the Panulirus project in October 1988 and the methodology used for collection of CTD data and integrated water samples has been consistent with those used on the Bermuda Atlantic Time series Study (see Knap et al., 1997). The standard sample parameter list has been mostly consistent for the full time-series record and includes temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Since October 1988 (cruise #643), data and samples have been collected using a SeaBird 911+ CTD and an integrated Niskin rosette system. The largest data gap of almost one year was due to the loss of all the Niskin bottles and reversing thermometers following a break in the hydro wire on station #463 (April 1979).

Further information on the data collection from 1954-1984 can be obtained in the Joint WHOI and BBSR (BIOS) data report 'Station S off Bermuda, Physical measurements 1954-1988 (WHOI contribution No. 6894)' by Metcalf et al. (1988).

Ship information:
- R/V Panulirus I (June 1954-May 1967)
- R/V Panulirus II(June 1967-December 1982)
- R/V Weatherbird I (Jan 1983 - September 1989)
- R/V Weatherbird II (October 1989 - February 2005)
- R/V Atlantic Explorer (May 2006 - Present)

Prior to the arrival of the vessel Weatherbird I in 1983, station occupation during winter months was limited due to the sea-going capabilities of the former vessels.

Numerous Chief Scientists have carried out the sampling during the cruises:
William Sutcliffe, David Menzel, John Beers, Albert Brooks Fred Mackenzie, Roger Pocklington, Eric Amos, Byron Morris, John Barnes, Anthony Knap, Timothy Jickells, Rachel Sheriff-Dow, Tony Knap, Rachel Dow, Anthony Michaels, Kjell Gundersen, Rodney Johnson, Ann Close, Paul Lethaby, Julian Mitchell, Vivienne Lochhead, Deborah Lomas, Steven Bell, Jonathan Whitefield, Gwyn Evans, James Sadler, Samuel Monk, Samuel Stevens, Afonso Goncalves, Matt Enright, Fernando Pacheco, Zac Anderson, Claire Medley, Dominic Smith, Rebecca May and Lucinda Derbyshire.