MetOcean smart buoys – remote insight into weather and sea state conditions

A selection of our lighthouses and buoys are equipped with meteorological and oceanographic (MetOcean) sensors and transmit their data to Irish Lights HQ. 

We currently have a number of buoys and lighthouses collecting weather and sea state data.   Measurements include average wind speed, wind gust speed, average wind direction, gust direction, wave height, wave period and water temperature.   Values are posted on Twitter every 20 minutes. 

This data is transmitted to our HQ via the Automatic Identification System (AIS) radio based communication network. The data for each location is published via an automated Twitter feed after some formatting. The MetOcean data can be stored, analysed, graphed via our MetOcean site. 

For all queries or to provide feedback on the MetOcean service please email info@irishlights.ie

MetOcean buoys - Twitter

These lighthouses and buoys are equiped with meterological and oceanographic (MetOcean) sensors and transmit their data to Irish Lights headquarters via AIS. Here, the data is published to their Twitter feeds after some formatting. The Twitter timelines are listed under this Irish Lights Twitter list.

Cork Buoy

• The Cork buoy is a type 1 statutory safe water mark buoy, broadcasting AIS Met Hydro data. The buoy has a nominal range of 6NM and RACON morse 'T'.

Cork Buoy Twitter: @Cork_Buoy

Fastnet Lighthouse

• Light Character:Fl W 5s
• Light Range: 27 nautical miles
• Radar Beacon: Morse 'G' on vessel's radar display

Fastnet Lighthouse Twitter: @FastnetLHouse

Kish Bank Lighthouse

• Light Character:Fl (2 ) W 20s
• Light Range: 21 nautical miles
• Radar Beacon: Morse 'T' on vessel's radar display

Kish Bank Lighthouse Twitter: @KishLHouse

Ballybunion

• Type 1 buoy, off the west coast of Kerry
• Nominal range of 6 nm
• Racon Morse of 'M'

Ballybunion Buoy Twitter: @BallybunionBuoy

Coningbeg

• Type 1 South Cardinal Marker (the largest buoy type in our inventory), off the south coast near Wexford

Coningbeg Buoy Twitter: @ConingbegBuoy

Dublin Bay

• Type 1 Safe Water Mark, situated in Dublin Bay between Howth and Dun Laoghaire

Dublin Bay Buoy Twitter: @DublinBayBuoy

For the latest tweets from the Dublin Bay Buoy, see the panel on the right.

Finnis

• First class East Cardinal marker, situated by the Finnis Rock to the east of Inisheer in the Aran Islands

Finnis Buoy Twitter: @FinnisBuoy

Foyle

• Type 2 Safe Water Mark, situated by the entrance to Lough Foyle

Foyle Buoy Twitter link: @FoyleBuoy

Splaugh

• Type 2 Port Lateral Marker (the second buoy type in our inventory), situated off the Wexford coast near Rosslare

Splaugh Buoy Twitter: @SplaughBuoy

For the latest tweets from the Splaugh Buoy, see the panel on the right.

South Hunter

• Type 2 South Cardinal Mark, situated off the coast of Larne

South Hunter Buoy Twitter: @SouthHunterBuoy

South Rock

• The South Rock Buoy is a Port hand laternal buoy marking the South Rock off the Co. Down coast 

South Rock Buoy Twitter: @SouthRockBuoy

Data from these buoys is automatically interrogated, formatted and charted, providing a unique insight into weather conditions in the areas. These charts can be viewed on our MetOcean website.