Wave Monitoring Buoy to Serve Useful Purpose

(CUT OFF, LA) – When it comes to tracking approaching storms or gauging water levels offshore, wave monitoring buoy stations perform a critical function in keeping everyone informed about sea surface conditions.

That’s why a recent partnership between the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) to establish one of these buoy stations offshore of Grand Isle and Port Fourchon is a big deal.

CDIP 246, located 16 miles east of Port Fourchon at 29’5.1′ N, 89’54.5′ W, has recently been installed and become operational.

Every 30 minutes the buoy, which is a 3-foot diameter yellow ball with a flashing light mounted on top of a 6′ antenna for nighttime visibility, will report the latest wave conditions and sea surface temperature. The data is made available in real time at cdip.ucsd.edu and will be broadcast over the NWS marine radio weather channel. This wave data, along with tide data, is also accessible by visiting portfourchon.com and clicking on the Wave & Tide Data button on website’s top menu bar.

The buoy is operated and maintained by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography as part of the nationwide Coastal Data Information Program. Any questions may be directed to www@cdip.ucsd.edu.

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