The European project EfficienSea2 is testing a new Smart Buoy which will enable vessels to have improved navigational services and to receive data in support of operations when reaching port.

The Maritime Office in Gdynia, Poland, is testing a newly developed Smart Buoy which will allow port authorities and ships to collect information about weather, wave height and depth of water and then share that information with nearby users in a completely autonomous system. Development of the Smart Buoys has been based on user requirements from pilots and VTS officers, and aids to navigation administration staff.

These Smart Buoys, which include an AIS/GPS module, hydro-meteorological sensors and GSM/radio hardware able to connect to cellular networks, have already been laboratory tested. They are now ready to be subjected to a marine environment.