SEAWATCH Buoy
The accurate measurement and real-time display of currents, ocean waves and meteorological elements in
coastal environments requires a stable, flexible platform.
Multi-Sensor Coastal Buoy
The SEAWATCH buoy is a multi-sensor data buoy capable of
measuring wave height and direction, ocean current speed
and direction, meteorological parameters, sea surface
temperature, salinity and temperature and salinity profiles.
The buoy is vertically stabilised giving low pitch/roll motions
and is ideal for making current, wind and ocean wave
measurements.
SEWATCH Buoy used for maritime traffic control
Features
• Multi-sensor wave directional buoy
• Unique design optimises wave direction measurements
• Flexible configuration of sensors and data collection
• Full on-board processing of all measured data
• Two-way communication link for data transfer control
• Real-time data transfer and presentation
• Modular hull for easy transport and local assembly
• Robust and reliable in all temperature extremes
• Successful track record world-wide since 1985
Applications
Deployment of SEAWATCH buoys
• Harbour and coastal monitoring
• Water quality control studies
• Wave and wind energy studies
• Meteorological and climatological studies
• Coastal engineering
• Maritime traffic control
• Scientific studies
• Offshore design and operations
SEWATCH buoy network providing real-time data
SEAWATCH Buoy
The Hull
Power Supply
The SEAWATCH is a vertically stabilised buoy built around
Maintenance-free solar panels and sealed lead-acid backup
a spherical instrument container. The instrument container
batteries enable long-term unattended operations. For low sun
is surrounded by three, 6-metre long, seawater-resistant,
radiation conditions, lithium batteries can be supplied.
vertical aluminium legs that are kept together by a top
frame, a middle deck and a bottom frame.
The top and bottom frames serve as support for the meteorological
and submerged sensors, whilst the middle deck contains the main
Data Communication
buoyancy elements and fendering. The water-line runs through the
SEAWATCH Buoy allows short range two-way communication via
middle deck, so that the part of the buoyancy above the middle
radio link or GSM/GPRS, long range data transfer uses Inmarsat-C
deck serves as extra buoyancy.
or Iridium satellite communication. The buoy’s position can also be
monitored by means of satellite position tracking.
Directional Wave Measurements
The buoy is fitted with a sensor for wave direction
measurements, based on the heave/slope measuring
principle.
The sensor is tailor made for wave measurements, which gives it a
number of advantages compared to other more general purpose
motion sensors on the market, such as:
• Low power consumption
• Integration into the datalogger
• Low price
• Direct output of standard oceanographic wave parameters
and statistics
Meteorological Measurement
SEAWATCH buoy is equipped with a mast made of seawaterresistant aluminiun,
making it suitable for meteorological
parameters that require measurements a certain height above the
water surface (air temperature, humidity, wind).
Data Monitoring
SEAWATCH around the World
The data monitor program is used to monitor the measured
More than 60 SEAWATCH buoys have been delivered to
parameters from the remote stations. The user defined sensor
clients around the world.
parameters are continuously monitored so any unforeseen incident
will trigger a message to a predefined set of email addresses. The
Some of our customers are:
data can also be presented online in real-time on a dedicated,
• International Maritime Academy (IMO), Italy
secure website.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Monaco
• National Centre for Marine Research Institute of
Oceanography, Athens, Greece
• Puertos del Estado, Spain
Mooring
• Agency for the Assessment and Application of
There are several types of mooring design used with
the SEAWATCH Buoy. The design used for a particular
deployment depends on several factors.
Technology, Indonesia
• National Research Council, Bangkok, Thailand
• National Institute of Ocean Technology, India
• SMHI - Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological
The most important are the current speed in the water column and
Institute, Sweden
the water depth. Further, surface activities such as ship traffic and
• PDVSA - Venezuela
even the likelihood of fish bite on the mooring must be taken into
consideration.
SEAWATCH System Distribution
North & South America
Europe & Africa
Middle East
Turkmenistan
Australasia
North & South America
Europe & Africa
Middle East
Australasia
SEAWATCH Buoy
Technical Specifications
Oceanographic Sensors
General
Material
Polyethylene
Flash light
LED based, 3-4 nautical miles range
IALA recommended characteristic
Positioning
GPS (Inmarsat-C, Iridium, Standalone Receiver)
Wave height
Wave direction
Current velocity
Current direction
Water temperature
Buoy Dimensions
Conductivity/Salinity
Weight (approx)
710kg
Overall height
8.6m
Meteorological Sensors
Diameter
1.76m
Wind speed/direction
Net buoyancy
700kg
Air pressure
Mast height (above water)
3.8m
Air temperature
Humidity
Power Supply
Precipitation
Solar panels
60 W (10W x 6)
Solar panel angle
Solar radiation
20° (to horizontal)
Lead-acid battery bank
248 Ah
Optional lithium batteries
up to 1088 Ah
Water Quality Sensors
CTD profile
Dissolved oxygen
Processing
Light attenuation
32-bit microprocessor
Chlorophyll-a
512MB flash memory, approx 10 years of raw data
Hydrocarbon
Real-time operating system (Linux)
Turbidity
Low power consumption
Large number of serial and analogue inputs
Flexible data acquisition software
* Various additional sensors can be delivered on request.
Data Communication
Short range
GSM/GPRS
Long range
Inmarsat-C and Iridium (two-way)
UHF/VHF radio (two-way)
ARGOS (one-way)
Fugro GEOS Ltd, Wallingford, UK
T: +44 1491 820 500 E: [email protected]
Fugro GEOS Pte Ltd, Singapore
T: +65 6885 4100 E: [email protected]
Fugro GEOS Inc, Houston, USA
T: +1 713 346 3600 E: [email protected]
Fugro GEOS, Structural Monitoring, Glasgow, UK
T: +44 141 774 8828 E: [email protected]
Fugro GEOS, Abu Dhabi, UAE
T: +971 2 554 5101 E: [email protected]
Fugro Mexico, Campeche, Mexico
T: +52 938 381 1970 E: [email protected]
Fugro OCEANOR AS, Sandnes, Norway
T: +47 5163 4330 E: [email protected]
Fugro GEOS, Perth, Australia
T: +61 8 6477 4400 E: [email protected]
Fugro Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
T: +22-33217901 E: [email protected]
Fugro OCEANOR AS, Trondheim, Norway
T: +47 7354 5200 E: [email protected]
Fugro GEOS Sdn Bhd, KL, Malaysia
T: +60 3 2164 6210 E: [email protected]
More information available at WWW.OCEANOR.COM
SW04 SEAWATCH Buoy © Fugro 2012