The six high-tech SmartBuoys will aid flood forecasters by feeding real-time data on wave height and direction to the new WaveNet website database at www. cefas. co. uk/wavenet. Large scale continuous monitoring of wave characteristics will also help improve understanding of coastal erosion risk and the design of coastal erosion defence works.

WaveNet integrates data from the new buoys with existing data from the Met Office, Ireland's Marine Institute, and Shell and Marathon Oil to provide a live, single source of over 20 marine monitoring stations which is publicly accessible and free.

WaveNet has been funded by the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and is implemented by its executive agency CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science).

MJ Information No: 19311