Mariners are advised that a SeaWatch LiDAR Buoy (SWLB) has now been deployed approximately 13.3 km off the North Wales coast. Details of this buoy are provided below.
SeaWatch LiDAR Buoy (Fugro Buoy SWLB 055)
This buoy is an integrated Seawatch Wavescan buoy and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) device. The buoy is designed to collect oceanographic and meteorological data.
The buoy is yellow, approximately 2.8m in diameter, with masts and equipment projecting approximately 4m above the sea surface. The buoy is moored to a single anchor approximately 13.3km north of the Great Orme at the following location (click on the link below to view details on MarineTraffic.com):
- SeaWatch LiDAR Buoy (Fugro Buoy SWLB 055): 53° 27.751′ N 003° 51.763’W (or in D.DDD: 53.46262° N 003.86621°W) | MMSI: 992351372.
Images of the buoy, its detailed specification, and a map showing the deployment location are provided in a Notice to Mariners that can be downloaded here.
Navigation details
To minimise the risk to other sea users the buoy will adopt the following measures:
- Light: a FL (5) Y 20s light is mounted to the top of one of the masts approximately 4m above sea level. The light has a 4-5 nautical mile range. The flash sequence is: FL(5) Y 20s – 0.8s On – 1.2s Off – 0.8s On – 1.2s Off – 0.8s On – 1.2s Off – 0.8s On – 1.2s Off – 0.8s On – 11.2s Off.
- Passive radar reflectors – the buoy is equipped with radar reflectors; and
- Automatic Information System (AIS) – the buoy will broadcast its position and has both a primary GPS and a backup GPS tracker that will operate in the event of primary GPS failure.
The mooring comprises of a 3oookg weight on the seabed. The mooring design will allow for free movement of the buoy over a radius of up to 140 metres.
Mariners are advised that some elements of the mooring will float just below the sea surface, and to minimise the risk of entanglement should allow a minimum of 200m clearance from the surface buoy.
Details of this buoy are specified in the Notice to Mariners that can be downloaded here.
A notice of the location of this buoy has also been posted on the Kingfisher Information Service Bulletin website here.
Please contact Jim Andrews, Fishery Liaison Officer by e-mail or phone (+44(0)7908-225865) if you have any queries or concerns about this notice.