One of Vanuatu’s ocean monitoring buoys took an unexpected journey—drifting thousands of kilometers to Australia before finally making its way back home to Vanuatu, where it plays a crucial role in monitoring weather patterns, guiding fishermen, and helping communities stay safe.
Keeping Vanuatu’s Waters Safe
While this particular buoy had an adventure of its own, a dedicated team from the Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong redy, adapt mo protekt (Van-KIRAP), has been working hard across Rah, Toman, and Tanna ensuring that Vanuatu’s ocean monitoring buoys stay afloat and fully functional to support Vanuatu’s coastal communities.
Recently, the team visited:
- Rah Island (Torba Province): Buoys were removed, cleaned, and redeployed. New solar lights were also installed to guide fishermen at night.
- Toman Island (Malekula): Community consultations were held, gathering feedback on how the buoys support local safety. Residents also discussed the return of the lost buoy from Australia.
- Port Resolution (Tanna): Despite challenging weather, the team met with local leaders to reinforce how ocean monitoring helps communities prepare for extreme weather conditions.
Why These Buoys Matter
Ocean buoys are more than just floating devices—they are lifelines for Vanuatu’s coastal communities. By providing real-time weather data, they help fishermen navigate safely, give early warnings of rough seas, and support long-term climate resilience.
With the return of the lost buoy and continued efforts to maintain these critical systems, Vanuatu remains committed to using science and technology to protect ocean-dependent communities.
Photo supplied.
