A Lightweight Buoy for Fast Currents

The development of a lightweight buoy which can be used in currents up to 8 km is the design goal of this study. Associated with the fast current environment is a substantial amount of debris, ranging from mill grass to fallen trees. The buoys presently in use tend to submerge in fast currents and generally can only be recognized by the surface water disturbance. After design, testing, and evaluation of several types of fast water buoys, two sizes of spherical section buoys have been developed and are undergoing operational evaluation. Another size of spherical section buoy, almost a hemisphere, is presently being procured.