Buoy updates Twitter followers on water conditions, yacht race

The meteorological and oceanographic sensors installed on a buoy deployed recently in Ireland’s Galway Bay aren’t out of the ordinary. What’s unusual is the buoy is broadcasting its measurements—along with updates on a globe-circling yacht race—on Twitter.

The buoy’s three sensors measure average wind speed, direction, gust speed, visibility, significant wave height, wave period, air temperature, barometric pressure, water temperature and salinity. The Twitter account associated with the buoy, @GalwayBuoy, will broadcast readings several times an hour. The account will also feature information on the Volvo Ocean Race, a 39,000 mile yacht race that concludes in the bay in July.

Read more: Commissioners of Irish Lights

Photo credit: Conor Moynihan