Worldwide Buoy Technology Survey. Volume 1. Report

Abstract : This report presents the results of the second part (Task B) of the United States Coast Guard project 'Buoy Technology Survey'. Personal interviews were conducted with the navigation authorities and buoy manufacturers and designers in Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and Norway. Navigation authorities and manufacturers from twelve additional countries were also contacted during the 12th conference of the international association of lighthouse authorities in June 1990. Relevant data were obtained from these sources on the physical, operational and performance characteristics of their floating aids to navigation. A computer database was developed for storing the data from all sources cited as well as the data received during Task A of this project from the U.S. Coat Guard and U.S. manufacturers. The database (buoy technology information system - BTIS) is both relational and retrievable and is intended for use by the U.S. Coast Guard. A hard copy of BTIS is contained in Appendix B of this report and is supported by illustrations of all buoys in Appendix C.