Last week, the sanctuary research team installed a new real-time SoFar data buoy (yellow object in photo) at East Flower Garden Bank. The public data link for the buoy can be found here: https://spotters.sofarocean.com/?spotter-filter=SPOT-30987C.
This new buoy provides wave height and wind speed, as well as temperatures from the surface and at reef cap depth. This will be a great tool for both staff and visitors to assess current offshore conditions.
Moorings Buoys Updated
Over the past few weeks, the sanctuary research team has also been hard at work updating mooring buoy equipment in the sanctuary. Old, worn-out mooring balls and lines were removed, and clean, new ones took their places. In all, three buoys were exchanged at East Flower Garden Bank, three at West Flower Garden Bank, and two at Stetson Bank.
This week, the team also drilled and installed two new mooring u-bolts at East Flower Garden Bank. Once the cement sets, new mooring balls will be attached, and those locations will also be available to vessels of 100 feet or less in length.
To learn more about Flower Gardens Banks National Sanctuary, visit https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/about/welcome.html
