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Brief description
Buoys provide integral wave parameters. Buoy data from the following organisations contribute to the National Wave Archive: Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (part of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE), which has assumed function of the former NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)); Bureau of Meteorology; Western Australia Department of Transport (DOT); the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES); the Defence Technology Agency (DTA), New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF); the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), the University of Western Australia (UWA), Deakin University; and the NSW Nearshore Wave Data Program from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).The data (aside from IMOS, the NSW Nearshore Wave Data Program, Deakin University and some of the buoys from UWA) is gathered by the Waverider system developed by the Dutch company, Datawell. Some older wave data were collected using non-directional Waverider buoys. As technology advanced and directional measuring capabilities were developed in wave buoys, wave buoy networks were gradually upgraded to directional Waverider buoys. Therefore, some older datasets do not have directional information whereas newer datasets have directional information.
The data from IMOS, the NSW Nearshore Wave Data Program, Deakin University and some of the buoys from UWA, comes from Spotter Wave Buoys, developed by Sofar Ocean Technologies, which collect data similarly to the Waverider system.
The buoy data from the Manly Hydraulics Laboratory replaces data (has been re-formatted) from the following specific collection - https://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au:443/geonetwork/srv/api/records/bb7e9d82-3b9c-44c6-8e93-1ee9fd30bf21.
Lineage
Maintenance and Update Frequency: continual
Statement: Manly Hydraulics Laboratory Prior to a six to eight month deployment, the operation of a Waverider buoy is tested on the Manly Hydraulics Laboratory Waverider buoy calibration rig to ensure it meets the manufacturers operational specifications. Wave data are transmitted from the Waverider buoy to a shore station where it is processed to produce wave data statistics. The recorded bursts of wave data (normally 34 minutes long starting on the hour) are digitised at 0.5-second intervals (or 0.78-second intervals for a Directional Waverider buoy) and the data are conditioned to remove any erroneous data points. The data are then analysed using two procedures: zero crossing analysis and spectral analysis. The wave data is routinely quality controlled (usually twice per week) using a wave data quality control program developed by Manly Hydraulics Laboratory. The wave data statistics are examined and raw data and spectral plots are viewed by an experience operator to check for any anomalies. Wave statistics from adjacent Waverider stations are also compared to assist in the identification of any "out of range" values. Erroneous wave data records are removed and good quality data is flagged as "Quality Controlled" in the Manly Hydraulics Laboratory wave database.
Statement: Australian Bureau of Meteorology See attached Data Quality Manual for details
Statement: Department of Environment and Science (DES), Queensland Government The Department of Environment and Science Coastal Impact Unit maintain a network of wave monitoring sites to measure the height and direction of waves along the Queensland coast. As a wave monitoring buoy floats up and down each passing wave, its motion (or heave) is measured and electronically processed. Data from the wave monitoring buoys are transmitted to a nearby receiver station as a radio signal. The receiver stations are comprised of a radio receiver, a computer, a modem and power components. The radio receiver is linked to a computer that stores, analyses and summarises the wave data. The computer controls the timing of data recording, and processes the data in near-real time. The recorded data and analysis results are automatically downloaded from each receiver station every hour to a central computer system (data server) in Brisbane for checking, further processing and archiving. Each receiver station is maintained and updated by specialised technicians and can be remotely accessed via the internet. Batteries are used to ensure that all equipment at each receiver station is backed up in case of power failure, which is likely to occur in critical events such as cyclones. If the transmission between the wave monitoring buoy and the receiver station is interrupted for an extended period, the data can be recovered from the internal memory of the wave monitoring buoy once it has been retrieved from the ocean. The wave monitoring buoys are calibrated before and after each deployment. Normally, a wave monitoring buoy is deployed in the ocean for 12 months before it is then retrieved.
Statement: The University of Western Australia (UWA) has deployed surface wave buoys (Datawell Mark IV) at locations around the Western Australian coastline to complement the existing observations collected by WA Department of Transport, with 4 of these sites funded by the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), which utilise Sofar Ocean Technology Spotter Buoys.
The parameters are calculated on-board the buoys and transmitted at 30 minute to 2 hour intervals via 4G or Iriduium satellite internet. Based on the needs of the supporting project (and data transmission budget) some buoys also transmit back more detailed output from the spectral analysis.
Once the data is received by a server at UWA it is run through an automated quality control process to try and identify and remove any bad measurements (for example caused by temporary submergence of a buoy). The automated quality control is completed following the tests detailed in the QARTOD manual (https://cdn.ioos.noaa.gov/attachments/2019/02/QARTOD_Waves_Update2Final.pdf) for surface waves.
The parameters are calculated on-board the buoys and transmitted at 30 minute to 2 hour intervals via 4G or Iriduium satellite internet. Based on the needs of the supporting project (and data transmission budget) some buoys also transmit back more detailed output from the spectral analysis.
Once the data is received by a server at UWA it is run through an automated quality control process to try and identify and remove any bad measurements (for example caused by temporary submergence of a buoy). The automated quality control is completed following the tests detailed in the QARTOD manual (https://cdn.ioos.noaa.gov/attachments/2019/02/QARTOD_Waves_Update2Final.pdf) for surface waves.
Statement: NSW nearshore wave buoys - In-situ wind wave data from shallow coastal waters (<35 m depth) along the NSW coast collected by temporary wave buoys deployed on moorings. Quality controlled wave parameters calculated from buoy displacements measured by GPS/Iridium satellite receivers are provided at half-hour intervals.
Statement: Victorian buoys - In-situ wind wave data from coastal waters (<70 m depth) along the VIC coast collected by Sofar Spotter wave buoys deployed on moorings.
Statement: In November 2022, existing data from MHL, BOM, DOT, and DES was reprocessed to comply with a new NetCDF file standard.
Notes
CreditAustralian Bureau of Meteorology
Credit
Data from the Buoys in Western Australia is kindly provided by Department of Transport (DOT)
Data from the Buoys in Western Australia is kindly provided by Department of Transport (DOT)
Credit
Data from the Buoys in Queensland is kindly provided by Department of Environment and Science (DES). The following buoys are part of these joint projects: Tweed River entrance sand bypass project (Tweed Heads), Port of Brisbane Corporation (North Moreton Bay and Caloundra), Gold Coast City Council (Gold Coast), Department of Transport and Main Roads (Mooloolaba), Gladstone Ports Corporation (Gladstone), North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited (Hay Point, Albatross Bay)
Data from the Buoys in Queensland is kindly provided by Department of Environment and Science (DES). The following buoys are part of these joint projects: Tweed River entrance sand bypass project (Tweed Heads), Port of Brisbane Corporation (North Moreton Bay and Caloundra), Gold Coast City Council (Gold Coast), Department of Transport and Main Roads (Mooloolaba), Gladstone Ports Corporation (Gladstone), North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited (Hay Point, Albatross Bay)
Credit
Data collection of Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) buoys, funded by NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) (formerly known as Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE)) (prior funding by former NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH))
Data collection of Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) buoys, funded by NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) (formerly known as Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE)) (prior funding by former NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH))
Credit
MHL Waverider buoy system and data management undertaken for NSW DPE (formerly DPIE) by NSW Public Works Manly Hydraulics Laboratory
MHL Waverider buoy system and data management undertaken for NSW DPE (formerly DPIE) by NSW Public Works Manly Hydraulics Laboratory
Credit
NSW nearshore wave buoy data were collected, processed and provided by the NSW DPE Nearshore Wave Data Program
NSW nearshore wave buoy data were collected, processed and provided by the NSW DPE Nearshore Wave Data Program
Credit
NZ buoys were deployed by Peter McComb, Oceanum (p.mccomb@oceanum.science). These data were collected and quality controlled by Metocean Solutions.
NZ buoys were deployed by Peter McComb, Oceanum (p.mccomb@oceanum.science). These data were collected and quality controlled by Metocean Solutions.
Credit
Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent.
Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent.
Credit
IMOS data were collected and quality controlled by the University of Western Australia (UWA)
IMOS data were collected and quality controlled by the University of Western Australia (UWA)
Credit
Wave data was provided by the Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program with funding through Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, University of Melbourne and Deakin University.
Wave data was provided by the Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program with funding through Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, University of Melbourne and Deakin University.
Created: 06 12 2018
Subjects
Average height of the highest 1/3rd of waves on the water body |
Average zero crossing period of the highest 1/10th waves on the water body |
Average zero crossing period of the highest 1/3rd of waves on the water body |
Average zero crossing period of waves on the water body |
Coastal Cities / Towns (Australia) | Byron Bay, NSW |
Coastal Cities / Towns (Australia) | Coffs Harbour, NSW |
Coastal Cities / Towns (Australia) | Eden, NSW |
Coastal Cities / Towns (Australia) | Port Kembla, NSW |
Coastal Cities / Towns (Australia) | Sydney, NSW |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | New South Wales Coast, NSW |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | Northern Territory Coast, NT |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | Queensland Coast Northwest, QLD |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | Queensland Coast South, QLD |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | Queensland Coast, QLD |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | South Australia Coast, SA |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | Tasmania Coast West, TAS |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | Victoria Coast, VIC |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | West Australia Coast South, WA |
Coastal Waters (Australia) | West Australia Coast West, WA |
Countries | New Zealand |
Direction at spectral maximum of waves on the water body |
Direction of waves on the water body |
Directional spreading of waves on the water body |
EARTH SCIENCE |
Global / Oceans | Indian Ocean |
Global / Oceans | Pacific Ocean |
Global / Oceans | South West Pacific Ocean |
Marine Features (Australia) | Batemans Bay, NSW |
Marine Features (Australia) | Great Australian Bight, SA/WA |
Marine Features (Australia) | Great Barrier Reef, QLD |
Marine Features (Australia) | Kangaroo Island, SA |
Marine Features (Australia) | North West Cape, WA |
Maximum height of waves on the water body |
Mean period at spectral first frequency moment of waves on the water body |
Mean period at spectral second frequency moment of waves on the water body |
OCEAN WAVES |
OCEANS |
Period at second highest energy spectrum peak of waves on the water body |
Period at the peak spectral energy of waves on the water body |
Period of the highest wave on the water body |
Regional Seas | Coral Sea |
Regional Seas | Tasman Sea |
Regional Seas | Timor Sea |
Significant Wave Height |
Sofar Ocean Spotter wave buoy |
Spectral significant height of waves on the water body |
Temperature of the water body |
Wave Period |
Wave Spectra |
Wave Speed/direction |
moored surface buoy |
oceans |
wave recorders |
User Contributed Tags
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Other Information
Bureau of Meteorology Wave Data Quality Manual (BOM_WAVE_DM_RevAOceanSenseQualityManual.pdf)
(Wave Buoy Operations and Data Management Guidelines Manual)
(ncUrlList help documentation)
uri :
https://help.aodn.org.au/web-services/ncurllist-service/
Award DP748 funded by ARDC
Identifiers
- global : 2807f3aa-4db0-4924-b64b-354ae8c10b58
