Antigua and Barbuda Joins Regional Marine Monitoring Network

Antigua and Barbuda has strengthened its marine-monitoring capabilities with the deployment of a SOFAR Spotter Buoy as the region enters the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The installation is the third in a regional marine-observation network being established by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology across Caribbean Meteorological Organization member states.

Antigua and Barbuda received three SOFAR ocean-data buoy stations Tuesday, with one initially deployed and the other two scheduled for deployment Thursday.

The network will use SOFAR Spotter Buoys and smart mooring equipment to collect and transmit near real-time information on wave and swell conditions and other important marine parameters.

The information will support improved marine forecasts and early-warning services while benefiting maritime safety, fisheries, tourism, coastal management, disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

The data will also help CIMH’s Regional Marine Forecast Support Centre assess and improve regional marine-forecast models.

The deployment involved the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service, Fisheries Division, Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard and CIMH Regional Instruments Centre.

The initiative forms part of the Strengthening Institutional Capacity for a Resilient Caribbean Coastal and Marine Environment Project, known as RCCAME. It is supported by the Caribbean Development Bank through the CARE Programme, with financing from the European Union’s 11th European Development Fund.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: New Ocean-Monitoring Buoy Deployed Between Antigua and Barbuda.