Weather Buoy Data Available in Holland Michigan
Real-time wind and wave conditions are now available near Holland, MI thanks to the efforts of several local organizations. A nearshore buoy was deployed in July 2012 to help improve National Weather Service forecasts, alert boaters and swimmers of hazardous conditions, protect drinking water supplies and aid the US Coast Guard in search and rescue operations. The organizations involved in bringing the buoy to Holland include the Holland Board of Public Works (BPW), the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Louis Padnos Iron and Metal, and LimnoTech.
The buoy is located approximately 2 miles offshore of Tunnel Park, which is near the water intake for the BPW water plant. The buoy hull was built in Holland by S2 Yachts and contains sensors developed by the University of Michigan and RM Young of Traverse City. It measures air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, wave height, direction, and period, and water temperature at several depths below the surface. Buoy observations will be transmitted over the internet every ten minutes and can be accessed through the Upper Great Lakes Observing System (UGLOS) website at http://bit.ly/hollandbuoy and also the GLOS Observations Explorer . UGLOS is http://data.glos.us/obs/.
Mitch Padnos of Louis Padnos Iron and Metal says that the weather buoy will not only benefit his business that relies on commercial boats safely entering the harbor, but it will also increase safety for recreational boaters in the area. “More important, in my opinion, is the daily recreational boater in both sail and motor that would have an added advantage of understanding (local) weather conditions. Better knowledge for some of the less experienced boaters can help cut down on Coast Guard and Sheriff rescues that take place each year.” Padnos Iron and Metal, along with support from the IXL Machine Shop, donated the mooring anchor for the buoy, which is made out of recycled train wheels. To deploy the 2,000 lb anchor DK Construction of Holland provided use of their tug boat. The mooring system can be reused year after year.
The Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is hoping the buoy will encourage more visitors and residents to participate in water-based recreation activities including swimming, boating, sailing, and fishing. “One of our goals is to ensure that all visitors to the area have a safe and enjoyable experience. This project will fill a critical data gap that will encourage more people to use our area waters safely,” says Sally Laukitis, Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau. Other supporters of the project include the Holland Area Sailing Council, Holland Steelheaders, Holland Zeeland Community Foundation, Anchorage Marina, and the Surfrider Foundation of Lake Michigan. Individuals and organizations wishing to support the project or to find out more information can contact the Holland Convention and Visitors Bureau (616-394-0000).
