CRRF was instrumental in recent buoy and pressure sensor deployments, including coordinating with the Palau National Weather Service and other local partners and vendors, receiving buoys and moorings at their facility, storage and transportation of the equipment, and using their time and vessel to safely deploy the buoy. The deployments would not have happened without the team at CRRF. This buoy provides wave height, direction, period, sea surface currents, sea surface temperature, and air temperature—valuable information for ocean monitoring, scientific research, weather and wave observations, and marine safety. The second Backyard Buoys Spotter was deployed in Palau. Located in the Northern Lagoon of Ngarchelong State, the buoy provides real-time wave height, wave period, and wave direction. This buoy was also deployed in collaboration with CRRF and Ngarchelong State Rangers.
CRRF also played an integral role in the deployment of 27 RBR pressure sensors along the coast of East Babeldaob by the PacIOOS Wave-Driven Coastal Processes (WaveCPR) group. CRRF picked up the sensor shipment and provided the group with a staging area to assemble the instruments during their trip to Palau. CRRF supplied materials such as weights, coordinated with the local dive shop to provide tanks for underwater deployments, and allowed access to one of their vessels. Several CRRF employees also accompanied the group on deployments and provided additional hands in the field. The deployed sensors will remain at their sites for six months; once retrieved, the data will be used by the WaveCPR group to develop a six-day wave run-up forecast for the region.
Beyond logistical support, CRRF shares their vast knowledge of Palau, and helps communicate with government and community members to ensure PacIOOS projects and deployments are successful. MAHALO for your partnership and dedication to ensuring ocean data is available and accessible for your coastal communities.
Download the free Backyard Buoys app to access wave data from buoys throughout the Pacific Islands.
The story was originally published by PacIOOS.
