Buoy and Boat Drifters!

[bigmahi]

Just read the story of the Queen Bee Regulator that got swamped 3 years ago off Cape Cod and was recently found in northern Spain.

Last year in December the first 44066/TT4 buoy broke loose by the Hudson Canyon and transmitted for several weeks before going silent. But this buoy was 800 miles or so from the original mooring and heading towards Europe along the 39th parallel. My unscientific thought was that if it followed that northern edge of the Gulf Stream it would hit along the coast of Portugal.
It was moving pretty quickly last year but it has not been heard of since. I even emailed a shipping company in the Azores seeking their lookout for this yellow bobber.
So far no sighting.

Almost a year later 44066 #2 broke loose after only several weeks in position since November. Loose again? Bad knots? Rough seas? Other?
I had visited NDBC last year and commented on the mooring and was told that they have done hundreds of these and the actual line was designed to hold the stress and has under more severe areas.
I was told offhandedly by a source at NDBC that they suspect sabotage.
I find it hard to believe but who knows. Why would anyone want to dislodge an important data provider? Maybe like Manslaughter. It just happened by mistake?

In any case, 44066 #2 has taken a different path. It is moving SE from its original mooring of 39 35N x 072 36W. Yesterday is was situated 38 42 x 071 8
This is approximately 100 miles drifting in the 20 days since it broke free. Figure moving 5 miles a day. It is closer to the location of the old 44004, Hotel Buoy than to our shores.
The old Hotel Buoy broke loose ( that is how we got the new one) and eventually drifted to the Bermuda area. ( Bermuda Triangle anyone?). The 44066 #2 is moving is a similar direction but this could change anyway.
Now is almost due south of Block Canyon, in about 1500 fathoms of water. No man’s land.

It took 3 years for the Regulator (original fastboats Center console) to reach the other continent. That gives 44066 #1 another 2 years to reach that coast ( if at all), and it gives the 44066 #2 several months to get a shine on in the Caribbean if that one follows the path of the Hotel Buoy.

We’ll just to have to wait and see where each one lands. Too bad there wasn’t a black box on these to record movements after the transmitting has stopped.

But for now the 44066 is still “alive” and hopefully it will remain talking so we can follow its progress.

In the meanwhile outreach has been made to ocean going vessels to try to spot this errant buoy and see what damage it has sustained. If not much, I believe it will make re-deployment easier and less expensive. Fingers crossed. Keep an eye out!

See asset map from Maracoos and the position yesterday below as well as the arrows indicating the direction of the current. Fun to follow and guess where it may go next.

[bigmahi]

Friends, Bermuda Cargo Lines has spotted and provided info on the latest 44066/TT4 buoy position. Great stuff.
Read details on Facebook.
Take a minute to go to my personal Facebook page, search Bigmahi

"Like" and /or comment them if you appreciate their effort and want the buoy back faster. BCL They did this Free, no expectations.

Got to give credit to these companies who recognize the importance of these buoys to all of us.

Also this lets NDBC know you are out there.
We originally had over 800 names 5 years ago with the petition to NDBC.

[bigmahi]

Hey guys, for those of you who are interested in the latest situation on 44066/TT4, check out this link to my newly created blog.

http://bigmahi.blogspot.com/

I mentioned something about a contest. Let me know. Could be fun.

Jeff

[LadyB]

what I do not get is why they don't retrieve these buoy's when they break free ?

[bigmahi]

The reason is that they have routine servicing periods based on scheduling of the capable cutters able to get out there with cranes and do the job. In addition the weather is a big issue.
Unless there was a ship of opportunity right there this will not happen. And the chances of this are slim indeed.
NDBC, like all agencies, is deliberate and slow in response because of limitations of budgets.

[bigmahi]

Guys, I have some bad news, it looks like 44066 made its final transmission on Feb 26 and went dark ONE HOUR after my posting the other day.

If you want more detail go to and see my thread on the details.

http://bigmahi.blogspot.com

FYI, I started this blog so I could have my own say without having to adhere to any specific parameters when posting ideas, thoughts or bringing you information I think you will like.

Feel free to comment.

Jeff