Ocean-Sensing Buoy - Physics

24/7 Ocean-Sensing Buoy

5G at Sea: The NPS Ocean Sensing Buoy project demonstrates real-time, ocean data collection for science and maritime monitoring. The buoy demonstrates 5G technologies, enhancing communication at sea, and the renewably-powered buoy and sensors were certified safe for use in Monterey Bay.

What is it?

The NPS Ocean Sensing Buoy project enables 24/7/365 capability to collect oceanographic and meteorological data, as well as monitor surface and undersea domains and relay information via high-speed 5G communication technology. NPS is partnering with (OPT) and AT&T to develop and test this concept.

Read here for the story about the buoy's deployment.

Costing far less than satellite data usage, 5G base stations at sea can provide internet access, high-speed data transmission, and communication capabilities to vessels operating further from shore than existing 4G or Wi-Fi networks can reach. Future 5G maritime networks can utilize a "multi-hop" concept where signals are passed from buoy base stations, one ship to another, and to shore with a data link enabling real-time access to ship systems, weather and navigational updates, and more efficient operations through remote control and automation.

How does it work?

Solar and wind powered, the buoy will demonstrate a host of undersea and surface ocean and atmospheric sensors in combination with a 5G maritime base station. Extending 5G connectivity beyond the reach of traditional coastal networks promises to bring the benefits of high-speed data to mariners limited by VHF radio and more expensive satellite communication. Within a half-mile range, local mariners can connect to its 5G signal.

Designed and built by Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) in development with NPS and AT&T, the PowerBuoy was shipped from New Jersey to NPS in Monterey, California. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Weighing 16 tons, most of the buoy's 60-foot length will below water while its ring of solar panels and two wind turbines are the main visible features. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

The tall metal equipment mast by the buoy鈥檚 side will be mounted above the solar panels before the buoy is deployed at sea. Some equipment is already attached to it. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

NPS meteorology faculty associate Ryan Yamaguchi tests the buoy鈥檚 communications interface and how the buoy links to a rooftop antenna on an NPS building. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Oceanographic instrumentation will be attached at the bottom of the buoy. An umbilical connector that will allow future undersea use is already mounted here. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

After initial testing was completed on campus, the buoy is staged at NPS鈥� beach laboratory along the coast of Monterey Bay. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Staff from NPS and OPT load the equipment mast and separate equipment to move the buoy from the beach laboratory to Monterey Bay Boatworks in Monterey Harbor, where it will be assembled. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Pulled by a big rig, the buoy arrives at Monterey Harbor, which is right across from Cannery Row. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

The buoy is carefully positioned alongside a Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, which has just completed routine maintenance. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

A shipyard gantry crane lifted the buoy off the big rig trailer, and buoy鈥檚 yellow stands remain firmly attached. Throughout the day, the crane lowers and raises large boats in and out of the water. Though not its typical haul, the buoy is an easy lift. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

On the water, the buoy's solar panels and wind turbines will provide the electricity to power all its operations and recharge its batteries, 24/7. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Staged at Monterey Bay Boatworks prior to deployment in the Bay, the buoy undergoes extensive outfitting that includes the installation of scientific instruments, communications and maritime equipment, and some of the rigging for the mooring. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

The oceanographic and meteorological data collected by the instruments on the buoy will be transmitted to shore by AT&T鈥檚 communications system. Attached to the equipment mast at the top of the buoy are AT&T鈥檚 5G base station and a directional antenna that links to a similar device at NPS. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Ryan Yamaguchi installs meteorological instruments onto the buoy, which will allow a wide range of meteorological data to be collected. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Theodore Reimer, a research technician for the Block Lab at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability's Hopkins Marine Station, installs a passive acoustic sensor that tracks great white sharks and other species swimming in Monterey Bay. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Tim Stanton, NPS oceanography professor emeritus (top) works with a technician from OPT to install two instruments that measure the flow of seawater current. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

NPS professor emeritus Tim Stanton (right) describes scientific instrumentation and buoy operations to NPS president and retired vice admiral Ann Rondeau (left), provost and former NASA astronaut Jim Newman (center), and other executive staff. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

The NPS Ocean Sensing Buoy project provides a collaborative research platform for the scientific community focused on studies of Monterey Bay. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Three separate mooring legs needed to be attached to the seabed, one at a time, before the PowerBuoy was deployed. As shown here, each leg had a 1-ton anchor, heavy chain, and a large lighted float that were eventually attached to the buoy by strong mooring cable. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

In about 230 feet of water and 5 miles north of NPS, the first of three buoy anchors is dropped into Monterey Bay. Once all of the anchors and their floats and moorings are in place, then the buoy will be towed into a position. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

The PowerBuoy was towed horizontally from Monterey Harbor by Westar Marine Services tugboat Bob. When ready to be attached to the moorings, a ballast tank at the bottom of the buoy will flood and the buoy will tilt upward to reach its vertical position. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

NPS and AT&T observers aboard the Doerr School of Sustainability's new electrically-powered, 23-foot rigid inflatable boat Isabella (left) head to the vessels preparing to raise the PowerBuoy to its vertical position and attach its moorings. (Courtesy photo by Ryan Mack, Westar Marine Services)

A small flotilla of vessels each play an important role in the PowerBuoy鈥檚 deployment. Westar Marine Services鈥� tugboat Bob (bottom left), water taxi Scout (top left), and dive boat Rover (right) are joined at the buoy by the Doerr School of Sustainability鈥檚 Isabella (middle left). (Courtesy photo by Jonathan Beardon, Westar Marine Services)

With the PowerBuoy secured in its final position, a diver from Resolve Marine aboard Westar鈥檚 Rover prepares to inspected the conditions and connections of the three mooring legs attached to the PowerBuoy. (U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan)

Why does it matter?

The purpose of the buoy is to serve as a technology demonstrator for a prototype, self-sustaining ocean monitoring platform. The technologies on the buoy are commercial off-the-shelf systems. When combined, they provide oceanographic and meteorological data and sea-shore communications 24/7, enabling 鈥�5G at sea鈥� applications, and enhanced maritime domain awareness. It will demonstrate a 5G maritime base station that can bring the benefits of high-speed data to mariners limited by VHF radio and more expensive satellite communication.

Study of the sea in support of Naval warfighting has always been a focus of NPS to ensure combat advantage 24/7 in any climate and in all weather, from seabed to space. Understanding and accurately predicting operational environments remains critical to effective force planning, readiness, and warfighter resilience that NPS enables as a center of academic excellence for the U.S. Navy and DOD.

24/7 Maritime Domain Awareness: Ocean-atmospheric data enables naval models, but platforms like the renewably-powered buoy and sensors also create applications for real-time tracking of maritime vessels on and under the ocean. The NPS project buoy is a technology demonstrator, and will be securely anchored in the Monterey Bay with three moorings to ensure stability and near-line-of-sight communication with the NPS campus.

What technologies are being used?

Power: Solar panels and wind turbines that power operationally safe lithium iron phosphate marine batteries.
Communication: Automated Identification System (AIS) transponder for navigational safety, surface search radar, HD/IR camera, Starlink antenna, and AT&T 5G network technologies (0.5 mile range, accessible to mariners).
Meteorological data collected: Windspeed and direction, wind stress and turbulent heat and water vapor vertical transport, CO₂ concentration, air and humidity at 8 meters height, sea surface temperature, and incoming and outgoing solar radiation.
Oceanographic data collected: Water current speed and direction throughout the water column, temperature and salinity at 8 meters depth, and temperature every 1 meter from 8 meters to the surface.
Additional scientific instrumentation: Passive acoustic sensor for tracking tagged great white sharks and other species.

Is it safe?

Yes. The buoy is securely anchored to a three-legged mooring system, as shown above, and is fully certified for environmental and marine sanctuary requirements by local, state, and federal agencies, including:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (permit MBNMS-2024-005)
The California State Lands and Coastal Commissions
Long Beach Office Branch Chief, Protected Resources Division, for the West Coast region, National Marine Fisheries Service
Naval Region Southwest, Fleet Environmental Coordinator (N40) reviewed project and published the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) Categorical Exclusion (CATEX), reference NEPA # 24-017

Will it be visible?

No more than a typical channel navigational buoy. Its color is predominantly black due to the wrap-around solar panels with the surface of the buoy base painted high-viz yellow for safety to distinguish it from navigational buoys in the Monterey Bay. Its distance is five miles north of NPS and about three miles offshore at its closest to the coast.

Who is involved?

NPS is the project lead with industry and future oceanographic partners. OPT developed the buoy, which is leased by NPS. AT&T provided the 5G networking technologies. Oceanographic and meteorological data continuously collected by the NPS sensors on the buoy will be available for use by other institutions that study the Monterey Bay. The Monterey area is home to a wealth of important scientific and marine laboratories, which are invited to utilize the data collected by the buoy for collaborative research. NPS has local partnerships with the U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Naval Research Lab, the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and the Western Flyer.

How long will it last?

The buoy is designed to operate 24/7 for at least three years. Project duration beyond this timeframe will depend upon research outcomes and future funding.

Point of Contact

Dr. Kevin Smith, Physics department Chair, NPS
kbsmith@nps.edu

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