On Monday, 13 April 2015 20:01:11 UTC+1, George Booth wrote:
On 13/04/2015 17:41, wrote:
I don't know if anyone else has noticed but for the last few days (weeks?) there has been an automatic weather buoy [AMOUK42] parked in Southampton. It's transmitting hourly SYNOP, here's the 1500 UTC one:

BBXX AMOUK42 1315/ 99509 70014 46/// ///// 10133 20078 40305=

I can only assume its in for a service and tied up at one of the quays.


Ah, so that's what they are. I've noticed their data from time to time
on the WeatherObs site with their location at Leith
http://weatherobs.com/ (but not at the moment)

The only experience with buoys I have had apart from mooring up to whilst fishing is the one parked at the ned of a water outflow on a beach where I lived. I waited for an exceptionally low tide to wade out to it to see what it said on the side, something that had piqued me for a while.

I took my shoes and sock off and put my phone in the shoes and started walking. San is OK past the bar or on it when the water ebbs. Half way out I realised I hadn't removed my wallet. The swell was slashing quite high on the sand bar but I am dauntless (aka was drunk.)

It was hard work trying not to fall over the deeper I got as the waves were playing buggery. But I pressed on. Was it worth it?

Walking back as the tide turned was a major pain as sand quickens as the water comes in under it. By the time I crossed the pooling water in the lagoon that builds up half way up the beach, my shoes were inches from the water's edge. And I was quite a few yards down the beach.

I think I made it in time. I can't remember. The sign on the buoy said:
"Property of the --- Water Company". I forget which one but I distinctly recall losing all interest in buoys from then on.