Case Study: Griffith University improves coastal risk assessment with Sofar Ocean Spotter buoys

Griffith University tracks lagoon wave data for 1 month with Sofar Ocean

Griffith University researchers faced a challenge collecting wave data for coastal risk assessment in Vanuatu's Erakor lagoon, where no permanent wave buoys existed. A PhD student needed to monitor wave transformation and lagoon circulation for an eco-based-adaptation project, requiring a portable and deployable solution in a remote location.

Sofar Ocean provided a Spotter buoy, which was deployed for a month. The solution offered real-time GPS tracking and data access via a dashboard. This proved critical when the buoy was stolen; researchers used its live GPS updates to recover it. Sofar Ocean's technology enabled the successful collection of vital data to fill a significant data gap and calibrate hydrodynamic models for the region.

Griffith University