SEAWATCH Wavescan Buoy

The collection and transmission of quality metocean data in severe deepwater conditions relies on
robust and stable multi-parameter buoy platforms with reliable communication links.

The SEAWATCH Wavescan buoy is a versatile

instrumentation platform ideally suited for collection and
measurement of oceanographic, meteorological (metocean)
and water quality data.

It has been designed to provide less drag and large buoyancy

suitable for deep offshore and remote locations or areas with strong
current forces. It’s innovative “wells” for subsea sensor mounting,
ensure easy servicing and maintenance.

Features
• Uniquely designed to optimise wave direction
measurements
• Full on-board processing of all measured data
• Two-way communication link for data transfer and control
• Real-time data transfer and presentation
• Flexible configuration of sensors and data collection
• Modular shaped hull for easy transport and local assembly
• Carrier for sensor clusters attached to inductive string.
SEAWATCH Wavescan buoy with met mast
• Provides hydro acoustic link to deep ocean observatories
• Designed for safe and easy handling and deployment
• Special design minimises mooring influence on buoy motion
• Robust and reliable in all temperature extremes
• Optional position tracker for increased safety and drift
tracking
• Successful track record world-wide since 1985

SEAWATCH Wavescan buoy deployment

SEAWATCH Wavescan Buoy

Applications Data Communication

• Offshore design and operations The SEAWATCH Wavescan buoy allows two-way communications
• Meteorological and climatological studies via either satellite or radio. The buoy position can also be monitored
• Suitable for deepwater operations by means of one-way satellite position tracking.
• Harbour monitoring
• Coastal engineering
• Scientific studies
• Wave energy studies Directional Wave Measurements
• Maritime traffic control
The buoy is fitted with a sensor for wave direction
• Water quality control studies
measurements, based on the heave/slope measuring
principle.

The Hull The sensor is tailor made for wave measurements, which gives it a
number of advantages compared to other more general purpose
The SEAWATCH Wavescan buoy has a discus-shaped motion sensors on the market, such as:
hull that can be separated into two parts for easy
transportation. • Low power consumption
• Integration into the datalogger
The hull design is based on the dynamic response and stability • Low price
requirements from comprehensive wave tank testing. A keel with • Direct output of standard oceanographic wave parameters
counterweight is mounted under the hull to prevent capsizing of and statistics
the buoy. A cylinder at the centre of the buoy hull contains all the
electronic modules, the power package and the wave sensor.

The different electronic modules are mounted in special splash- Data Presentation
proof compartment boxes inside the central cylinder to ensure the
The Station Guard program is used for presenting data and
safety of the sensitive electronics. The buoy is equipped with a
monitoring Fugro OCEANOR’S remote stations.
mast to support the meteorological sensors and the antennae.
The mechanical design objective was to construct a strong but The state of selected sensor parameters are constantly monitored
lightweight buoy. Materials used are polyethylene, aluminium and so any unforeseen incident will trigger an email message to a
stainless steel, ensuring the buoy is lightweight but strong. predefined address. Reports are easily generated and configured
for automatic export to multiple file formats, making it ideal for
presenting real-time data on the internet. The program also
contains methods for quality checking of data.
Power Supply
Maintenance-free solar panels and sealed lead-acid backup
batteries enable long-term unattended operations. For low sun
radiation conditions, lithium batteries can be supplied.
Mooring SEAWATCH Wavescan Around The World
The SEAWATCH Wavescan buoy mooring is designed The SEAWATCH Wavescan buoy has been delivered to
according to the environmental conditions on the site. Slack private and public clients in Europe, USA, South America,
mooring is recommended for shallow water and heavily Middle East, Asia and Australia.
trafficked areas whilst an S-mooring is used for deep-water
For many years the SEAWATCH Wavescan buoys have been
and more hostile environments.
used by oil companies like Shell, Statoil, BP, Conoco, Petrobras,
The specific mooring design and choice of materials also takes Petergaz, ENI, Woodside, Repsol, QP, Saudi Aramco.
into consideration factors such as current conditions and even the
The SEAWATCH Wavescan buoy has been delivered and is
danger of fish bite on the mooring line. These mooring types are
operational as part of national, or international, buoy networks in
specially designed to minimise the effect of the mooring on the
Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway,
wave following performance of the buoy.
Russia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil (projects), Australia, India,
The upper part of the mooring can be combined with an inductive Kuwait, Qatar, Iran, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, and China.
cable where various sensors can be mounted at user selectable
depths.

SEAWATCH World Wide Distribution

Buoy position
(private industry)

WorldWaves
Deliveries
Seawatch
Deliveries
SEAWATCH Wavescan Buoy

Technical Specifications
General Directional Wave Data Sensor
Material Polyethylene, Aluminium, Stainless steel Parameter Range Accuracy
Flash light LED based, 3-4 nautical miles range Heave, Surge, Sway ± 25m (adjust) < 10 cm
IALA recommended characteristic Direction 0 - 360° 0.3°
Positioning GPS (Inmarsat-C, Iridium, Standalone Receiver) Wave Period 2 - 30 sec < 2% of value
Full wave directional analysis on-board based on spectral
Buoy Dimensions analysis and user-friendly configuration tools.
Weight (approx) 924 kg
Overall height 5.6 m Oceanographic Sensors
Diameter 2.8 m Current velocity
Net buoyancy 2700 kg Current direction
Mast height (above water) 3.5 m Water temperature
Conductivity/Salinity
Power Supply Current profile
Solar panels 180 W (45W x 4) CTD profile
Solar panel angle 17° (to horizontal)
Lead-acid battery bank 248 - 736 Ah Meteorological Sensors
Lithium backup 272 - 2176 Ah Wind speed/direction
Air pressure
Processing Air temperature
32-bit microprocessor Humidity
512MB flash memory, approx 10 years of raw data Precipitation
Real-time operating system (Linux) Solar radiation
Low power consumption
Large number of serial and analogue inputs Water Quality Sensors
CTD profile
Flexible data acquisition software
Dissolved oxygen
Light attenuation
Data Communication
Short Range GSM/GPRS Chlorophyll-a

UHF/VHF radio (two-way) Hydrocarbon

Long Range Inmarsat-C and Iridium (two-way) Turbidity

ARGOS (one-way)
Subsea Sensor Wells
4 large size for analyzers up to Ø250 mm
2 medium size for sensors up to Ø150 mm
2 well for hidden tracker, Ø200 mm x 270 mm (H)

* Various additional sensors can be delivered on request.

Fugro GEOS Ltd, Wallingford, UK Fugro GEOS Pte Ltd, Singapore Fugro GEOS Inc, Houston, USA
Tel: +44 1491 820 500 Tel: +65 6885 4100 Tel: +1 713 346 3600
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Fugro GEOS, Structural Monitoring, Glasgow, UK Fugro GEOS, Perth, Australia Fugro OCEANOR AS, Trondheim, Norway
Tel: +44 141 774 8828 Tel: +61 8 6477 4400 Tel: +47 7354 5200
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Fugro GEOS, Abu Dhabi, UAE Fugro GEOS Sdn Bhd, KL, Malaysia Fugro OCEANOR AS, Sandnes, Norway
Tel: +971 2 554 5101 Tel: +60 3 2164 6210 Tel: +47 5163 4330
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

More information available at WWW.OCEANOR.COM SW06 SEAWATCH Wavescan Buoy © Fugro 2010