U.K.-based oceanographic systems company Ocean Scientific International Ltd. (OSIL) has introduced a new, ultra compact buoy platform into their existing range of fully integrated systems.
The Micro Field Buoy is just 0.3m in diameter, and weighs only 15kg (without instrumentation), meaning it is easy for one person to handle in the field, is suitable for airborne, vessel based or land based deployment, and yet can still transmit data to users in real-time, providing a rapid response to environmental changes.
The buoy platform can accommodate a variety of instruments or environmental sensors (including CTDs, DO sensors, turbidity sensors, chlorophyll sensors, multiparameter sondes and hydrocarbon sensors) in the rugged protective deployment frame underneath the float. The hard anodized marine grade aluminum hull incorporates buoyancy, telemetry equipment (GSM/GPRS/3G), electronics (including data logger) and battery in a fully marinized and compact package. The buoy, once installed, can be left reporting and logging data unattended for 1 month before battery recharging and instrument cleaning is required.