When a tsunami hit Sumatra on December 26^th, 2004, it was the most devastating natural disaster ever recorded. The following spring, The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made a push to increase the amount of tsunami early warning Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) Buoys through the waters surrounding US Territories. These buoys are moored to the ocean floor and float on the surface to collect and transmit data about the position and the potential of approaching tsunamis.

By now, most of you have heard about the massive 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunamis that have crippled portions of Japan. In its first true test, the DART Buoy system has been transmitting vital data to NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers.  This data will be used by surrounding states, territories, and countries to relay warnings and timelines around the encroaching tsunamis.

Loos & Company is proud that we manufacture the mooring cable that is used by NOAA to secure buoys used in many oceanic data collection buoys, including early warning system applications such as DART. Being in the harsh environment of the open ocean, with temperature swings, corrosive water, and the constant force of the tides, it is necessary that the mooring buoy systems securing these critical  data collection devices have the highest quality cable available. Our  3 x 19 Galvanized Oceanographic Wire Rope with Polypropylene Jacket has proven more than capable of absorbing the abusive conditions of the open ocean. This is because we  apply the strictest quality standards, just like we do on all our other cable applications :  aircraft, elevator, fitness, medical, rigging, etc…

At the end of the day, it’s comforting knowing that all of the hard work here at Loos & Company goes into projects such as these – ones that truly make a difference, ones that truly save lives.

Buoy Images Courtesy of NOAA from:

http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/magazine/dart_buoys/DART_graphic.html (Image edited for blogspace)

http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/magazine/dart_buoys/dart_buoy_wave.html  (Image edited for blogspace)