A System for the Routine Measurement of Directional Wave Spectra from Large Discus Buoys

The NOAA Data Buoy Office (NDBO) devised a concept for a directional wave spectra measurement system suitable for routine use on board its large discus buoys. The concept was translated into an experimental system and mounted on a buoy deployed in the Atlantic Ocean. This system was operated briefly and evaluated. The system concept was based on the measurement of body-fixed pitch and roll of a surface-following discus hull, the heading of the buoy, and the buoy heave. The time series records of these parameters were processed on board the buoy to reduce the quantity of data sent to shore. This paper reviews the technical considerations that led to the selection of the measurement technique. The hardware configuration is described, and the problems encountered are identified. The data handling methods are outlined, but an analysis of the data is not included. An analysis of the data is provided in a companion paper. The methods used to evaluate the data are described herein.