On 04 June 2004 the CO-OPS Triaxys wave buoy was deployed by ODU in the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay

This wave buoy has been deployed by NOAA and its partners and is being released as an experimental data product that is being evaluated . These wave buoy data should not be used for navigational purposes. The user assumes the entire risk related to using these products. NOAA and its partners will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of these products

On 04 June 2004 the NOS Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) Triaxys wave buoy was deployed by the Old Dominion University Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography research vessel Fay Slover in the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The buoy was deployed adjacent to the US Coast Guard buoy “2CH”, which is fitted with an ATON ADCP (current meter), for the purpose of providing a wave data set to compare to wave data generated from the High Frequency Radar Surface Current Mapper (HFR SCM) also deployed in the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

The buoy transmits hourly data via line of sight radio to a receiver located in the Maryland/Virginia Pilots tower at Cape Henry. The receiver then forwards the data in real time via email to selected users, including CO-OPS, NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center, ODU, and NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay office. The buoy also transmits data via Argos (a NOAA satellite data telemetry service) and logs it on board.

During this 2-3 month deployment, it is hoped that sufficient interest is generated in users to establish an operational NOAA deployment. In an early draft of the Maryland Port Administration PORTS® agreement, MPA expressed a desire to support operational wave observations. Waves have also been identified by the regional observing system as a primary needed parameter.

Figure 1 ODU personnel aboard the Fay Slover deploy the Triaxys wave buoy

Figure 2 Maryland & Virginia Pilot tower watchstanders have interest in wave data

Figure 3 CO-OPS personnel describe the buoy operations and deployment procedures to ODU cruise participants