Surface Buoy

The purpose of the surface buoy is to help track, find, and support the drifting recorder. For the Adrift survey, we used a high-flyer style of pole buoy with satellite trackers mounted on the pole and the array is suspended below. A robust spar buoy developed at PIFSC was implemented as part of the CALCURCEAS survey in 2024.

Pole Buoy

The purpose of the pole buoy is to help track, find, and support the drifting recorder. The pole buoy consists of;

1. Aluminum Pole: 9’ length, 1.25” 6063 aluminum round tube
2. Lead Weight: approximately 17 lbs, attached to the bottom of the pole to keep buoy vertical
3. Crab Floats: to keep pole buoy floating, with bolts above and below it to keep it from sliding along the pole
4. Bridle: 12 strand line that links the pole buoy to the rest of the drifting recorder setup and arrray
5. Radar reflector: so ships can see the pole buoy
6. GPS mount: to hold the solar GPS and strobe light

Diagram of High Flyer Pole Buoy

Link to Detailed instructions for building a Pole Buoy

PIFSC Buoy

PIFSC has developed a robust spar buoy for offshore deployements from large survey vessels. These surface buoys require additional weight and are less ideal for deployment from small vessels. PIFSC buoys were used during CalCurCEAS Survey. For more information, see:

• PIFSC Buoy Assembly

• PIFSC Bouy Handoff Instructions - Instructions provided by PIFSC Maker Lab for SWFSC purchased buoys (2024)

• PIFSC Buoy Checklists - Field Checklists developed by PIFSC Maker Lab and Jennifer McCullough

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Alternative Surface Buoys

Link for additional information on Alternative Surface Buoys.