Seawatch Extends Global Reach
Twelve more Seawatch buoys have been added to the Global Ocean Observation System (GOOS) networks in Europe, South America and extended to the Middle East.
The buoy network off the coasts of Spain comprises 14 measurement locations that are part of the Puertos del Estado’s (Coast and Harbour Authority’s) buoy network surrounding Spain and monitoring the sea state in the vicinity of major ports. The two most recent buoys were provided in 2004, Fugro Oceanor was then re-awarded the contract to operate and maintain the Spanish deep sea Buoy network through till 2006 - a further three buoys will be supplied to Puertos del Estado this year.
In Argentina, Servicio de Hidrografia Naval (SHN) is undertaking an extensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study off the coast of Patagonia in Argentina with the assistance of two Wavescan buoys. The contract includes the supply and deployment of buoys measuring wind; air pressure; air temperature; humidity; currents; water temperature; and conductivity profile; fluorescence; and oxygen; and includes a training course and field work for four years.
In Kuwait, a network of eight multi-sensor Oceanor Wavescan buoys is now in use. The buoys, used to monitor waves, currents, meteorological parameters water properties and pollution, transmit data in near real-time with the data displayed and logged to a central hub within the Kuwait Environment Public Agency (EPA).
Through the cooperation of the Seawarth partnership, members aim to advance the technology in the field and to help foster links between scientific research, operation monitoring, operational forecasting and the end users of ocean data. Working groups are being formed and workshops are held to share expertise in mooring and sensor technology, to establish best practices and to promote them through presentations, discussion groups, technical demonstrations and training courses.
