Oceanographic buoys, Metocean solutions

MSM Ocean is the Oceanographic Division of Mediterráneo Señales Marítimas, a leading international company in the aids-to-navigation sector, with projects including oceanographic buoys, tsunami early warning and detection systems, and Metocean solutions. Aware of the global needs in the Metocean field for multiple users, we have created a division specialized in developing customized solutions for the measurement and management of oceanographic, meteorological, and environmental data for different kinds of users. Our team of experts analyses your requirements to design and manufacture integral systems with support until installation and commissioning, including the training of personnel involved in the handling and maintenance of the equipment. We work together with our customers to get an understanding of their objectives for the project whether, for example, it is collecting data for scientific research, coastal engineering, increasing the safety for vessels in channels, port approach or other critical and risky navigation’s areas, or environmental and Metocean monitoring for protection in beaches and ports. Based on our preliminary assessment of our customer’s requirements, we can develop a study of the different elements to consider designing a proposal of an integrated solution. We have a wide product range manufactured by MSM with advanced systems for the measurement and management in real-time of meteorological, oceanographic, and environmental data based on our clients’ requirements. We manufacture Oceanographic Buoys, Tsunami Buoys, Safe Port solutions, Dataloggers with communications, Wave sensors, and Tide sensors. All of them implement the most efficient and reliable communication channel for each location. They are prepared to operate with different types of data and communications systems depending on the purpose of the project as well as the availability of coverage at the location of the equipment: GSM/GPRS/4G, RF (VHF, UHF, MW, and others), Satellite, WiFi and similar, AIS.

Our data buoys are equipped with data acquisition, processing & transmission system that allows using sensors of various parameters:

>       Meteorological: wind, air temperature, solar radiation, barometric pressure, humidity, and others.

>       Oceanographic: wave, surface, and water column currents.

>    Environmental: conductivity, water temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, blue-green algae, turbidity, sediments, chlorophyll, fluorescence, etc.

>       Pollution: the presence of hydrocarbons and/or vegetable oils.

The collected Metocean data can be transmitted via radio, GPRS, GSM, satellite, and even via AIS to a Control Centre Station, with maximum accuracy and reliability, even including redundant channels.

The EBM-OC buoys incorporate light and elastic float, manufactured with a solid core of closed-cell polyethylene foam sheet (no water absorption) covered with polyurethane elastomer. This provides a buoy that is resistant to impacts and collisions and virtually unsinkable allowing preserving the integrity of the equipment (sensors and electronics) integrated into the buoy. Using high-quality and resistant materials, they provide a long service life under the harshest marine conditions and are environmentally friendly as all the materials are recyclable. Designed according to IALA Recommendations.

>       Integrates marine lantern, radar reflector, day mark, and top mark so that they are conspicuous and highly visible to vessels.

>       Watertight superstructure to house all electronic equipment and batteries.

>       Integration of any commercially available sensor (weather stations, wave sensor, multiparameter water probes, ADCP, and/or others).

>    Datalogger is designed for complete management of the sensors and the ability to interact with them individually through remote connection.

>      Total control on operational and navigation parameters of the buoy with settings by the user.

>     Solar power systems are adapted based on the energy balance of the equipment for sufficient autonomy of the buoy without solar radiation.

>       Anti-vandal protection and safety systems.

>       Surface sensor access system (optional).

 

 

MSM offers an Oceanographic Suite designed for the communication between the PC and the dataloggers, and the management, processing, and display of information. MSM’s Oceanographic Suite can be integrated and combined with our Remote Monitoring web application for the monitorisation of the buoys and lanterns (with status and alarms, including off-position alarm) as well as our VTS web application for the visualization of AIS data from vessels in the area, providing a complete solution.

 

To guide effective and high-quality monitoring, we focus on the details of water monitoring requirements, including such as monitoring system design, site selection, monitoring frequency, reporting, etc. The fundamental factors influencing the design of a monitoring network are the monitoring objectives (present and future), physical characteristics of the systems, and resources available (human and monetary).

 

Choosing the appropriate scale and scope depends on the monitoring objectives and budgetary/resource constraints. Costs associated with establishing and operating a monitoring network include buoy manufacturing, equipment procurement and installation, maintenance, data processing and storage, and control centres. Once the relationship between the chosen effectiveness measure and costs has been established, the optimal network can be designed.

  

The Oceanographic Buoys EBM-OC designed and manufactured by MSM are units of measurement of different environmental, meteorological, and oceanographic factors, that can occur in the marine environment, indicated for calm waters as well as high sea, for which we integrate the best sensors and the best technology for each segment to measure.

The float of the EBM-OC is light and elastic, manufactured with a solid sheet of closed-cell polyethylene foam (no water absorption) and projected with a layer of colour-pigmented elastomer polyurethane. This provides an unsinkable buoy, thus preserving the equipment that it houses. The quality and resistance of its manufacturing materials provide a long service life in the harshest marine conditions and complete respect for the environment in case of rupture or damages in the buoy.

Designed according to IALA Recommendations with corresponding buoy colour chromaticity, required marine lantern, radar reflector, and top mark so that our buoys are also conspicuous aids to navigation.

Integration of any commercially available sensor with MSM´s datalogger designed for complete management of the sensors and ability to interact with them individually through remote connection.

>       Meteorological: wind, air temperature, solar radiation, barometric pressure, humidity, and others.

>       Oceanographic: wave, surface, and water column currents.

>    Environmental: conductivity, water temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, blue-green algae, turbidity, sediments, chlorophyll, fluorescence, etc.

>       Pollution: the presence of hydrocarbons and/or vegetable oils.

Total control on operational and navigation parameters of the buoy with settings by the user:

>       Position report with instant remote alarm for out of position, with continued and recurrent position report.

>       Power report (voltage, current charge, and consumption).

>       Collision and intrusion alarms. Internal temperature.

>       Lantern settings and status. AIS information.

 

Solar power systems are adapted based on the energy balance of the equipment for sufficient autonomy of the buoy without solar radiation.

Standard or hybrid sustainable mooring systems adapted to water depth and local conditions of the sea, including specific mooring systems for deep waters.

 

MSM Ocean manufactures the oceanographic buoy with elastomer, which thanks to the elastomer properties, it does not degrade nor break down in smaller pieces like polyethylene or other plastics. Also, the buoy is completely recyclable minimising further the impact with the marine environment at the end of the project life.

The elastomer float is unsinkable, elastic and highly resistant to impacts, in itself it is constituted similar to a boat fender. The core is solid and made of closed cell polyethylene foam sheets, thus preventing moisture absorption. The outer cover of the float is made of a layer of elastomeric polyurethane, highly resistant to impacts and 12 mm thick, pigmented in colour (Chromaticity according to IALA Recommendation E200-1).

The quality and resistance of the materials with which they are manufactured provide a long service life in the most severe marine conditions and complete respect for the environment since all materials are recyclable. (More than 15 years of useful life). Our buoys have the material recycling certificate.

MSM Ocean hybrid mooring systems are characterized by being more respectful with the environment given their characteristics. They are used in great depths. The inclusion of intermediate floats is considered to keep the rope away from the seabed. Floats are also used for the same purpose in environmentally sensitive areas.

Mediterráneo Señales Marítimas (MSM) is a modern and innovative company, mainly engaged in the design and manufacture of marine and waterways Aids to Navigation. Nowadays, we are the manufacturer with the widest range of navaids products in the market. In addition to the extensive standard catalogue that we offer, we are specialized in manufacturing custom-made equipment according to our customers’ requirements. Our continuous labour of research, development, and innovation is essential to remain always at the forefront of the aids to navigation. Therefore, we invest a great part of our resources in our Departments of R&D and Optics. Thanks to our constant commitment to quality and environmental management, MSM has ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 Certifications. Likewise, the satisfactory implementation of beaconing projects and works for our Spanish public customers have enabled our Classification as Official State Contractor of the Spanish Government since 2009. Besides, Mediterráneo Señales Marítimas is an active Industrial Member of IALA (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) and Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP) by UNESCO (World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)). MSM is actively involved in the IALA AtoN Engineering and Sustainability Committee, ENG.