Buoy - Wikipedia

Floating structure or device For the French commune, see Bouy. For the Norwegian island, see Buøy. For other uses, see Buoy (disambiguation).

A buoy ( ; boy, BOO-ee)[1][2] is a floating device that can have many purposes. It can be anchored (stationary) or allowed to drift with ocean currents.

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History

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The ultimate origin of buoys is unknown, but by a seaman's manual referred to navigation buoys in the Guadalquivir River in Spain.[3] To the north there are early medieval mentions of the French / Belgian River Maas being buoyed. Such early buoys were probably just timber beams or rafts, but in there is a record of a barrel buoy in the Dutch Maasmond (also known as the Maas Sluis or Maasgat). The simple barrel was difficult to secure to the seabed, and so a conical tonne was developed. They had a solid plug at the narrow end through which a mooring ring could be attached. By the older conical tonne was being replaced by a nun buoy. This had the same conical section below the waterline as the tonne buoy, but at the waterline a barrel shape was used to allow a truncated cone to be above the water. The whole was completed with a top mark. In the nineteenth century iron buoys became available. They had watertight internal bulkheads and as well as topmarks and might have bells () or whistles (). In Julius Pintsch obtained a patent for the illumination of buoys by using a compressed gas. This was superseded from onwards by Gustaf Dalén's acetylene lamp. This could be set to flash which ensured that buoys could be distinguished from ships' lights and from each other. A later development was the sun valve which shut off the gas during sunlight.

Types

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Navigational buoys

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• Race course marker buoys are used for buoy racing, the most prevalent form of yacht racing and power boat racing. They delimit the course and must be passed to a specified side. They are also used in underwater orienteering competitions.
• Emergency wreck buoys provide a clear and unambiguous means of temporarily marking new wrecks, typically for the first 24–72 hours. They are coloured in an equal number of blue and yellow vertical stripes and fitted with an alternating blue and yellow flashing light. They were implemented following collisions in the Dover Strait in when vessels struck the new wreck of the MV Tricolor.[10]
• Ice marking buoys mark holes in frozen lakes and rivers so snowmobiles do not drive over the holes.
• Isolated danger mark – Sea mark indicating a danger spot
• Large Navigational Buoys (LNB, or Lanby buoys) are automatic buoys over 10 meters high equipped with a powerful light monitored electronically as a replacement for a lightvessel.[11] They may be marked on charts as a "Superbuoy."[12]
• Lateral marker buoys
• Safe water mark, fairway buoys, or outer buoys mark the entrance to a channel or nearby landfall
• Sea marks aid pilotage by marking a maritime channel, hazard or administrative area to allow boats and ships to navigate safely. Some are fitted with wave-activated bells or gongs.
• Wreck buoys mark a wrecked ship to warn other ships to keep away because of unseen hazards.

• Light buoys provide demarcation at night.

Marker buoys

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Buoys are often used to temporarily or permanently mark the positions of underwater objects:

• Lobster trap buoys are brightly colored buoys marking lobster trap locations so lobster fishers can find their lobster traps. Each fisher has a unique colour marking or registration number. They are allowed to haul only their own traps, and must display their buoy colour or license number on their boat so law enforcement officials know what they should be hauling. The buoys are brightly coloured with highly visible numbers so they can be seen in poor visibility conditions like rain, fog and sea smoke.[13][14]
• Fishing floats are a type of lightweight buoys used in angling to mark the position of the baited hook suspended underneath, and as a bite indicator to signal the angler any changes in the hook's underwater status.

Diving

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Several types of marker buoys may be used by divers:

• Decompression buoys are deployed by submerged SCUBA divers to mark their position underwater whilst doing decompression stops
• Shot buoys mark dive sites for the boat safety cover of scuba divers so they can descend to dive sites more easily in conditions of low visibility or tidal currents and more safely do decompression stops on their ascents.
• Surface marker buoys are taken on dives by scuba divers to mark their positions underwater.[15]
• Dive site demarcation buoys indicate that divers are working in the marked area, to warn passing vessels to stay clear.

Rescue

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• Lifebuoys are lifesaving buoys thrown to people in the water to provide buoyancy. They usually have a connected line allowing them to be pulled in.
• Self-locating datum marker buoys (SLDMB) are 70% scale Coastal Ocean Dynamics Experiment (CODE)/Davis-style oceanographic surface drifters with drogue vanes between 30 and 100 cm deep,[16] designed for deployment from U.S. Coast Guard vessels or airframes for search and rescue. They have very little surface area above water to minimize the effects on them off winds and waves.[17]
• Submarine rescue buoys are released in emergencies and for communication purposes.

Research

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• Profiling buoys are specialized buoys that adjust their buoyancy to sink at a controlled rate to a set depth, for example 2,000 metres while measuring sea temperature and salinity. After a certain period, typically 10 days, they return to the surface, transmit their data via satellite, then sink again.[18] See Argo (oceanography).
• Tsunami buoys are anchored buoys that can detect sudden changes in undersea water pressure, and are a component of tsunami warning systems in the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and Indian Oceans.
• Wave buoys measure the movement of the water surface as a wave train. The data they transmit is analysed to form statistics like significant wave height and period, and wave direction.
• Weather buoys measure weather parameters such as air temperature, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction. They transmit this data, via satellite radio links such as the purpose-built Argos System or commercial satellite networks, to meteorological centres for forecasting and climate study. They may be anchored (moored buoys), or allowed to drift (drifting buoys) in the open currents. Their position is calculated by the satellite. They are also referred to as Ocean Data Acquisition Systems, or (ODAS) buoys.[19] and may be marked on charts as "Superbuoys."[12]

Mooring

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• Mooring buoys keep one end of a mooring cable or chain on the water's surface so ships and boats can tie to them. Many marinas mark them with numbers and assign them to particular vessels, or rent them to transient vessels. This method of anchoring is intended for permanent placement or long-interval use.[20]
• Tripping buoys are used to keep one end of a 'tripping line' to be used to break out and lift an anchor on the water's surface so that a stuck anchor can more easily be freed.

Military

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• Marker buoys, used in naval warfare (particularly anti-submarine warfare) emit light and/or smoke using pyrotechnic devices to create the flare and smoke. Commonly 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter and about 20 inches (500 mm) long, they are activated by contact with seawater and float on the surface. Some extinguish themselves after a specific period, while others are sunk when they are no longer needed.
• Sonobuoys are used by anti-submarine warfare aircraft to detect submarines by SONAR.
• Target buoys simulate targets, such as small boats, in live-fire exercises by naval and coastal forces. They are usually targeted by medium-sized weapons such as heavy machine guns, rapid fire cannons (~20 mm), autocannons (up to 40–57 mm) and anti-tank rockets.

Specific forms

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• DAN buoys are used as:
  • Large maritime navigational aids providing a platform for light and radio beacons
  • Lifebuoys with flags, used on yachts and smaller pleasure craft
  • Temporary markers in Danish seine fishing to mark net anchor positions
  • Temporary markers set by danlayers during minesweeping operations to indicate the boundaries of swept paths, swept areas, known hazards, and other locations or reference points
  • Temporary markers for rescue operations
• Spar buoys are tall, thin buoys that float upright, e.g. R/P FLIP

Other

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• Letter boxes on buoys exist in Töre (Sweden) and at the Steinhuder Meer (Germany)[22]

Fictional

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• Imaginary "Mail buoys" have been used as a prank in the US Navy when a new sailor may be given the task of locating one to retrieve non-existent mail.[23]
• Space buoys, a feature in some science fiction stories which are stationary objects in outer space that provide navigation data or warnings.[24]

Other uses

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• The word "buoyed" can also be used figuratively. For example, a person can buoy up ('lift up') someone's spirits by providing help and empathy.[25]
• Buoys are used in some wave power systems to generate electrical power.[26]
• George A. Stephen, founder of Weber-Stephen Products Co., invented the kettle grill by cutting a metal buoy in half and fashioning a dome shaped grill to it with a rounded lid.[27]

Gallery

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• Several different buoys at a storage depot.
• A buoy used as turn marker for sailing races.
• Old iron buoys, most likely for mooring.
• Children playing on a buoy in the Volga
• Recycled surface buoys
• A buoy beached at Sebastian Inlet State Park.
• Emergency buoy of the Swedish submarine Nordkaparen
• Gas buoy stranded on land after Galveston Hurricane, near Texas City, Texas
• Starboard lateral Buoy (Lateral mark - Region B - IALA ) as Channel Marker Buoy at "Río de la Plata" river, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Tsunami buoy before deployment in Andaman Sea
• Lobster buoys hanging on a tree, Sprucehead Island, Maine, United States
• Buoys in dry storage, Homer, Alaska
• Drifting Buoy fitted with a Barometer
• Buoy undergoing repair
• Ring life buoy with a light on a cruise ship
• North cardinal buoy off the coast of Whitby, North Yorkshire
• The weather buoy moored at the coordinates of Null Island, located at 0°N 0°E
• Ice-resistant buoys MR-2S and N-2 at a playground in Tallinn, Estonia

See also

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• Transport portal

References

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“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable,” said Seneca, the Roman philosopher. In today’s oceans, sailors no longer rely on intuition or the stars—they rely on precision. And a key part of that precision? Ocean buoys.

Ocean buoys are silent sentinels. They float atop the waves, seemingly innocuous, but these devices play an indispensable role in marine navigation. Whether you’re steering a massive cargo ship or guiding a fleet of fishing vessels, understanding how to read and interpret the information provided by ocean buoys can be the difference between smooth sailing and a dangerous journey.

What Exactly Do Ocean Buoys Do?

At their core, ocean buoys are information hubs. But they’re more than just markers on the water. They provide real-time data that helps mariners make critical decisions.

A typical buoy will monitor water temperature, wave height, wind speed, and direction. Some are equipped with GPS, enabling them to relay their precise position back to marine traffic systems. In highly congested or dangerous waters, such as the English Channel, buoys act like traffic lights on a road, ensuring vessels don’t collide or drift into hazardous areas.

Actionable Insight: Knowing what type of buoy you’re dealing with is crucial. Some are for navigation; others might be designed for environmental monitoring. Always check buoy specifications in your marine charts.

Different Types of Ocean Buoys

Ocean buoys are versatile, and depending on their design and purpose, they come in several forms. Here’s a quick breakdown:

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• Mooring Buoys: These are anchored to the seabed and provide a fixed point in the ocean. They help with everything from docking ships to marking specific locations for research.
• Wave Rider Buoys: As the name suggests, they measure wave height and direction. They are particularly useful for those navigating storm-prone waters or planning safe shipping routes.
• Weather Buoys: These monitor atmospheric conditions—vital for predicting storms and ensuring safe navigation.

Each type of buoy serves a specific purpose, so it’s essential to know what you’re looking at. A simple misinterpretation could result in navigating too close to shallow waters or missing vital weather warnings.

Why Are Ocean Buoys So Important?

The ocean is a vast and unpredictable environment. Even with modern technology, the forces of nature remain powerful and, at times, overwhelming. Ocean buoys offer a real-time line of defense. They’re not just passively floating markers. Instead, they actively communicate valuable data that aids in decision-making, ensuring safety and efficiency in marine operations.

Think of them as guides. A buoy doesn’t steer your vessel, but it provides you with the necessary information to steer correctly. In areas equipped with a buoy mooring system, mariners can rely on the stability and consistent positioning of these buoys for accurate navigation and docking.

Actionable Insight: Ensure your navigation systems are up-to-date and include buoy data. Many systems now integrate real-time buoy feeds into GPS, allowing you to adjust routes instantly based on current conditions.

How to Use Buoy Data in Navigation

Here’s the practical part—using buoy data in real time. Let’s break it down into actionable steps:

1. Check Your Charts: Before setting sail, study the marine charts for your route. Identify the buoys along the way. What do they represent? Are they marking a channel? Indicating the depth? Signaling shallow waters?
2. Monitor Conditions: Throughout your journey, keep an eye on the data transmitted by weather or wave buoys. A sudden change in wind speed or wave height could signal an incoming storm, giving you time to adjust your course.
3. Follow the Patterns: Many mariners use long-term buoy data to recognize patterns. If a certain buoy consistently records high waves at certain times of the year, you can plan future journeys around these trends.

Actionable Insight: Don’t rely solely on onboard instruments. Complement your vessel’s systems with direct buoy data. A simple update from a nearby buoy could give you the edge in avoiding rough conditions.

The Future of Ocean Buoys in Marine Navigation

Technology is rapidly advancing, and ocean buoys are no exception. New models are being equipped with advanced AI capabilities, allowing them to predict weather patterns more accurately and even help in search and rescue operations. As maritime traffic increases and environmental concerns grow, these devices will continue to evolve, offering even more detailed and valuable insights to mariners.

Actionable Insight: Stay informed about the latest developments in buoy technology. By upgrading your navigation systems to incorporate cutting-edge buoy data, you can ensure your operations remain ahead of the curve.

Ocean buoys may seem simple on the surface, but they hold the keys to safe and efficient navigation. The next time you spot one, remember—it’s not just floating aimlessly. It’s working to keep you safe, providing you with critical data to make informed decisions.

Buoys are our modern-day lighthouses, guiding us through the vast and unpredictable ocean. The more you understand their role, the better you can navigate the world’s waters with confidence!

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