Originally published by NERACOOS

Last December NERACOOS Buoy E, located near Monhegan Island, Maine, broke free from its mooring during a powerful winter storm and went adrift. The University of Maine Physical Oceanography Group acted quickly to recover the wayward buoy and escort it back to their warehouse. A few months later, Buoy F, located in Penobscot Bay, Maine, sustained serious damage, and the team jumped into action to prepare a replacement buoy. Both buoys were returned to their stations with support from UConn’s R/V Connecticut last week and are now transmitting weather and ocean observations.

Our observation buoys provide mariners with essential safety information, and getting them back into the water is always a top priority. Redeployment requires careful planning, an experienced crew, the right vessel, and, above all, favorable weather conditions. We’re profoundly thankful to our partners who brave challenging ocean conditions to keep our observing system up and running.

Using the Mariners’ Dashboard is the most reliable way to ensure you are receiving accurate ocean information. Should you notice an issue with buoy data or the Dashboard, you can assist other seafarers by submitting a report using this form.