The Weather Buoy network has begun to deploy the next generation platforms, with the first deployment occuring at M2 in October 2009.
The next generation Wavescan buoys are manufactured by Fugro Oceanor, and provide the standard set of Met-Ocean parameters as well as measuring new real-time parameters. These additional parameters include salinity and the following wave parameters: mdir (wave direction); hmax (max wave height); thmax (max wave period); s1 mean (wave steepness). Additional parameters of interest to the engineering community include: Sprtp; thhf; tm01; tm02; tm02a; tm02b; hm0a; hm0b; mdira; mdirb. Full spectral wave data will be stored internally on the buoy and will be downloaded on service visits.
All the meteorological instruments have been upgraded. Most notably the anemometer and wind vane have been replaced with an ultrasonic anemometer. Data are transmitted to a base station in Met Eireann via email using the Iridium and Inmarsat gateways.
Should you have any queries please send an email to institute.mail@marine.ie and mark for attention of the Weather Buoy Team.