Coastal ocean stakeholders in the U.S. Caribbean now have new data available to inform decision making. The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS), under the auspices of the Caribbean Regional Association for Coastal Ocean Observing, a regional member of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), deployed the region’s fifth data buoy today.
The region worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to deploy the buoy in time for what is typically the busiest part of hurricane season. The buoy measures wave heights, wave direction, wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, salinity, barometric pressure, and ocean currents in Vieques Sound. These data inform U.S. Coast Guard operations in the area and inform the boating community of daily conditions.
Vieques Sound hosts a large recreational boating community and the buoy emplacement comes in response to consultations with the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as recreational and local government stakeholders.
Data from the buoy feeds through CariCOOS into the U.S. IOOS, a federal, regional and private sector partnership working to enhance the ability to collect, deliver, and use ocean information. IOOS delivers the data and information needed to increase understanding of our ocean and coasts so that decision makers can act to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment.
