Adaptation of the Sea Keepers Ocean Sensor Module to NDBC platforms

The nonprofit International SeaKeepers Society has developed an automated marine observing system to collect atmospheric and oceanic data from ships while underway. These systems have been installed on large ocean going vessels from commercial shippers to private yachts. The system collects, processes, and transmits the data through a satellite system. The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) has partnered with the SeaKeepers Society to adapt and integrate the ocean portion (Ocean Sensor Module) of this system to buoys, piers, and offshore towers. The Ocean Sensor Module is a waterproof box measuring 30×16×10 inches that can house up to five (5) multiparameter sensor units. The electronics (Computer Module) are housed in a separate container that measures 18×16×10 inches, and the water is sampled through a pumping system. The system is relatively maintenance free, and because of this, a pilot project was established to adapt the ocean sensor module for use on 3and 6-meter buoys. The new design includes reduction in power consumption and space and development of a low-maintenance, low-power pumping system. The sensor box and pump are externally mounted. An NDBC Oceanographic Sensor Interface Controller (NOSIC) replaces the shipboard NT operating system computer version; it will be internally mounted in the OSM and will interface with the buoy electronics. The NOSIC will interface with the sensors to collect, process, store, and transmit the data to the buoy payload for later satellite transmission through GOES or other satellite communication modes. The unit also contains an electrochemical halogen generating anti-fouling device that was developed by the University of Miami´s Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. The generated halogen compounds will clean the wetted components, thus extending the cleaning cycle. The details of the design and the results of a fully integrated dockside test on a 3-meter buoy will be presented.