Planet Ocean's Data Buoys to Play Role in 2012 Olympics

The meteorological buoy will provide real-time, quality controlled meteorological and wave data directly to the organisers via satellite. The buoy is one of a number of similar systems around the UK which use the Planet Ocean DB series hulls and solar power packs with AXYS Technologies Inc Watchman-500 system controllers, TRIAXYS directional wave sensors and Iridium satellite telemetry. The Planet Ocean provided hulls are fitted with sensors and data modules to provide a complete serviced turnkey system to users.

The DB-300-ODAS system incorporates a number of features which make this an impressive ocean data buoy platform. The rotary moulded polyethylene hulls, made in independent quadrants are all foam filled and unsinkable. Optional "assistor" floats can be added which use a novel method to improve the stability even further in high sea states. Hull sections incorporate moonpools through which sub sea sensor packages can be deployed.

The tower section which can carry up to eleven 55W solar panels, provides a massive 1.5 m³ of payload space for batteries and electronics with access through large hatches, keeping sensitive electronics and cabling safe within the tower and out of the reach of waves and weather. A crow's nest with ladder access is provided for mounting met sensors and antenna arrays. The tower section can be removed for servicing, leaving the hull in place to support moorings.

The buoy carries the Watchman-500 dual-channel instrumentation system with Iridium telemetry and TRIAXYS directional wave sensor supplied by technology partners AXYS Technologies Inc of B.C Canada. The dual channel system duplicates all electronics and sensors with the exception of the wave sensor. This provides 100% redundancy with associated increase in reliability.