Monitoring Oceanography: King County’s Innovative Buoys with GPS Technology

Introduction to Oceanographic Monitoring

The King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks in Seattle has announced an exciting development for oceanographic research. Beginning in September, they will deploy three advanced oceanographic buoys off the Washington coast. This initiative represents a significant step forward in marine monitoring technology, which combines environmental observation with high-end navigation systems.

GPS Technology and Its Role

These innovative information buoys will be equipped with Globalstar solar-powered GPS satellite systems. The administration of this technology will be managed by GPS Anyplace, LLC, a leader in GPS tracking solutions. This strategic decision stems from a long-term provider agreement, ensuring support and reliability in monitoring the oceanic environment. This deployment will leverage the same GPS technology proven effective in tests conducted by the Stillaguamish Indian Tribe Research Center, specifically on a previously deployed research buoy in Port Susan waters.

Testing and Resilience

The initial buoy, which was subjected to extreme weather conditions during winter storms, successfully maintained uninterrupted location reporting services. This resilience is a testament to the robustness of the GPS technology being utilized. The testing not only demonstrates the buoys' ability to withstand fierce environmental challenges but also reassures stakeholders of the effectiveness of GPS Anyplace technology in real-world applications.

With this initiative, the King County Department of Natural Resources aims to enhance biological and environmental research in the region while ensuring that oceanographic data is collected reliably. The information garnered from these buoys will be instrumental for researchers focused on ocean health, climate change, and marine ecosystems.