Maintaining and expanding the network

Whilst the DBCP network of over 1250 drifting buoys and 400 moored buoys was completed in 2005, there are still ongoing challenges in sustaining and improving the network. These are detailed in the DBCP implementation strategy.

One of the ongoing challenges is the increasing need for measurement of air pressure over the ocean. These observations are critical for improving the skill of global numerical weather prediction, weather forecasts and warnings. The DBCP aims to observe air pressure measurements from as many buoys as possible, focusing on high latitudes and remote ocean areas. A barometer upgrade scheme was introduced to encourage the addition of barometers on drifters.

The buoy network is, in reality, not evenly dispersed across the whole ocean, due to difficulties in deploying buoys in very remote areas (especially the southern ocean) and because the buoys, following currents, drift out of some areas quickly or converge in other areas. This is a major challenge for the DBCP.

The DBCP has an ongoing program of developing and testing new sensors and uses for drifting buoys. More detail is available on the Data Uses page.