WatchMate Buoy

In response to the need for a reliable, lightweight and easy to deploy buoy platform, AXYS Technologies has released the new WatchMate buoy. The WatchMate is a small, multipurpose buoy platform with superior operational performance designed for those looking for a data collection buoy for lakes, rivers, canals and coastal waters. The new WatchMate weighs 285kg, 1.2m in diameter and due to its structure and design, the sensor payload can be lifted out and easily accessed for service. Like other AXYS marine platforms, this buoy monitors weather, air and water quality as well as waves and currents. The WatchMate is... (read more)

2008-09-04 12:37:25

Buoy Solves Swell Challenge

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML, UK) has developed a near-surface ocean profiling buoy which scientists can use to gain accurate measurements from the top few metres of the ocean. By suspending instruments below a floating buoy which rises and falls with the swell, measurements can be taken at a constant depth. PML’s near surface ocean profiler acts as an instrumentation platform that can be lowered into the sea and left to drift, away from the influence of the ‘mother ship’. Instrument sampling depth is remotely controlled by a winch and tubing back to the mother ship, enabling sample seawater to be... (read more)

2014-08-08 09:55:31

Seawatch Wind Lidar Buoy

Fugro has chosen Global Offshore Wind 2012, held on 13 and 14 June 2012, for the launch of the group’s new Seawatch Wind Lidar Buoy, representing the next generation of multi-purpose buoys tailored for the renewable energy industry. It accurately measures the speed and direction of wind across the diameter of wind turbine rotors in profile up to 300m heights, whilst additional oceanographic sensors measure ocean waves and current profiles. The new buoy is the result of a joint industry R&D project utilising offshore and wind technology expertise from Norwegian universities, research institutes, the energy company Statoil and Fugro OCEANOR.... (read more)

2012-06-14 10:06:57

Data Buoy Successfully Deployed

The UK Met Office has funded another meteorological /oceanographic data buoy from Hydrosphere UK, which has been installed as part of the Western Channel Observatory. The buoy was deployed at station E1 and is being operated and maintained by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) in collaboration with the Met Office. The buoy uses the DB 8000 platform, consisting of a 3m diameter hull constructed from multiple-section polyethylene floats bolted around a central steel structure, with through-hull access for underwater instrumentation and cabling. The Western Channel Observatory buoy is configured with a large diameter tower, allowing more equipment to be installed and... (read more)

2013-07-23 10:06:15

Mexico's CICESE Buoy Platform

Following a comprehensive review of the world's leading met-ocean buoy suppliers, Mexico's CICESE (Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y de Educacion Superior de Ensenada) has chosen AXYS for the supply of a 3metre data collection buoy. The 3 metre buoy will monitor critical meteorological and oceanographic parameters for an oil rig application in 3000 metres of water in the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting data will be sent to CICESE via Iridium satellite telemetry. AXYS' WatchMan500 Data Acquisition System (DAS) forms the 'smarts' inside the buoy, allowing system operators to remotely monitor and control the buoy or a specific sensor... (read more)

2008-06-27 02:03:52

Environmental Monitoring Buoy

UK-based OSIL recently launched its new 1.2m Tern buoy. The platform is designed for extended deployment in harsh coastal environments in deeper water depths, and is suitable for all applications, including scientific studies, water quality monitoring, coastal engineering projects, harbour and coastal monitoring, and maritime traffic control. The system is robust, with all instrumentation and cables held internally, protected by the rugged enclosed top section, which has been designed to minimise damage from the elements or interference. All sensors... (read more)

2012-04-02 01:16:34

Mariner Weather Buoy

The Hudson Canyon will get a real-time weather buoy. Officially named 44066, this new buoy will also be known as Texas Tower Four in memory of the men who served on the offshore radome Texas Tower 4 in the early 1960s. It is replacing 44004, which was located 100 miles further offshore. Deployment of the new TT4 buoy will take place between 18th and 22nd June subject to weather conditions. Three years ago MACOORA had initiated a discussion among the agencies, based on recreational and commercial user needs, for a real-time weather buoy to be placed off the... (read more)

2009-06-18 10:15:16

Micro Field Buoy

UK-based oceanographic systems company Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL) has introduced a new, ultra-compact buoy platform into its existing range of fully integrated systems. The Micro Field Buoy is 0.3m in diameter, and weighs 15kg (without instrumentation), meaning it is easy for one person to handle in the field, is suitable for airborne, vessel-based or land-based deployment, and yet can still transmit data to users in real time, providing a rapid response to environmental changes. The buoy platform can accommodate a variety of instruments or environmental sensors (including CTDs, DO sensors, turbidity sensors, chlorophyll sensors, multiparameter sondes and hydrocarbon sensors)... (read more)

2015-03-03 01:22:03

AIS Tracking Drift Buoy Test

At sea testing was performed of the new AADI Drift and Personnel Tracking Buoy at the Goliath Oil Field in the Barents Sea to demonstrate the systems performance under design conditions. Mother Nature provided exceptional weather conditions to challenge any systems capability with high winds and heavy seas. The buoys transmitted GPS position, speed and direction via AIS and Iridium communication systems. Once the signals from the targets were picked up at a distance of 7NM, the contact with the buoys was never lost. Weather conditions proved to be more demanding than initially planned. Instead of moderate to... (read more)

2009-04-02 01:20:16

Multiple Data Collection Buoy Order

AXYS Technologies has been awarded a large contract from Telecom Italia (Milan, Italy) to design, build, deliver and deploy seventeen data collection buoy platforms. This recent award is the extension of a previous order to AXYS for the supply of 25 directional wave monitoring buoys. In this application AXYS will provide its 1.7 metre diameter WatchKeeper buoy platform. This platform is powered by an eco-friendly solution that uses photovoltaic solar panels and rechargeable batteries. The main on-board sensors include a TRIAXYS directional wave monitoring device and a Gill Windsonic wind sensor. Near real-time data is sent via VHF... (read more)

2009-06-16 04:29:45