The Commissioners of Irish Lights, the Marine Institute, Techworks Marine, SmartBay Ireland and IMERC are joining forces for a novel project which combines the best in marine technologies and engineering with internet social media including Twitter and Facebook, all set against the backdrop of the dramatic and exciting finale of the Volvo Ocean Race 2012 in Galway.

The Galway Buoy (@GalwayBuoy) is a Type 1 South Cardinal Superbuoy (the largest buoy type in the Commissioners of Irish Lights inventory) which will be deployed in Galway Bay on 14th June 2012, in prime position for a front row seat for the Volvo Ocean Race finale. The buoy is fitted with a variety of meteorological and oceanographic sensors which will be tweeting data automatically via the automatic identification system (AIS) and GSM networks, giving a unique insight into sea and weather conditions in Galway Bay. The buoy will also tweet updates on the Volvo Ocean Race and information on the onshore festival events.

The buoy has been on board ILV Granuaile since 11^th April and since early May the ICT Department in CIL have been building a presence using the Galway Buoy theme on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. As the sensors will only be active from the launch date, this engagement with the online public has mostly focused on CIL, marine related and Volvo Ocean Race information, along with documenting the journey of the buoy as it travels with ILV Granuaile. Tweets are written from the point of view of the buoy, in an attempt to engage the public, and capture imagination and interest in the work of Irish Lights. This project and proof of concept is aimed at exploiting the proliferation of social media, and it's appeal to the next generation of mariner.

Buoy Details and Specifications

Galway Buoy is a Type 1 South Cardinal Superbuoy, which is being deployed into Galway Bay on Thursday 14^th June 2012, to coincide with the launch of the Ocean Wealth Showcase which will be taking place in the Global Village in Galway during the Volvo Ocean Race.

The buoy will be deployed south of Mutton Island, approximately 53 N 15.025 09 W 3.06 and has a variety of sensors which will be collecting meteorological and oceanographic data.

Specifications:

Weights:

MetOcean Data

The Buoy has 3 separate sensors installed. The CIL AANDERAA sensors measure average wind speed, direction, gust speed, visibility, significant wave height and wave period. Techworks' Airmar sensors measure air temperature and barometric pressure, and the Marine Institute/Smartbay WQM sensors measure water temperature and salinity.