DOT wave data is collected using Datawell wave rider buoys. Older wave data was collected using non-directional wave rider buoys. As technology advanced and directional measuring capabilities were developed in wave buoys, the DOT wave buoy network was gradually upgraded to directional wave rider buoys. Older datasets do not have directional information whereas newer datasets have directional information.

In-situ ocean wave measurements have been collected at nearshore locations along the NSW coast. Wave data are collected using GPS wave buoys that are deployed by NSW DCCEEW scientists on moorings in shallow coastal waters (< 35 m water depth) adjacent to beaches or rocky shores. The program currently uses Sofar Spotter wave buoys (https://www.sofarocean.com/products/spotter). During 2016-2017, Datawell DWR-G4 wave buoys (https://www.datawell.nl/Products/Buoys.aspx) were used, while in 2018 and 2019 both Datawell and Spotter wave buoys were used. A buoy comparison experiment was carried out in 2018, which found that wave data measured by Datawell and Spotter buoys at the same location could be considered equivalent. The wave buoys are tethered to moorings at deployment locations and float on the water surface, measuring the height, period and direction of passing waves by tracking the motion of the buoy through time using GPS. The deployments are temporary, and the duration of each wave buoy deployment varies with operational needs, ranging from several months to years. Deployment locations are chosen to support scientific research carried by NSW DCCEEW and partners on coastal dynamics along the NSW coastline and to develop nearshore wave modelling tools and data. Wave data and research support the development of Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) under the Coastal Management Act (2016). The real-time wave data from live buoy deployments includes time-series charts of key parameters describing wave height, period and direction over a rolling seven-day window. The parameters are derived on board the buoy using wave spectra analysis and include significant wave height (Hm0), mean wave period (Tm01), peak wave period (TP), mean wave direction (DirM) and peak wave direction (DirP). Wind speed and direction estimated from the measured wave spectra are also provided. Parameters are plotted at half-hour intervals in local time - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) or Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) - and the data time series are updated once every hour as new data points are received. The data are received directly from deployed wave buoy instruments via satellite transmission and are not quality assessed or controlled in any way. Various factors may cause erroneous data points and users are advised to exercise caution when using the data. The data are provided for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon for coastal hazard advice or to guide operational activities. Processed wave data that has passed quality assurance and control tests are also available on SEED, and could be used for coastal hazard advice or assessments: https://datasets.seed.nsw.gov.au/dataset/nsw-nearshore-wave-buoy-parameter-time-series-data-completed-deployments. For more information on wave buoy data collection and processing, please see: Kinsela, M.A., Morris, B.D., Ingleton, T.C., Doyle, T. B. et al. (2024) Nearshore wave buoy data from southeastern Australia for coastal research and management. Scientific Data. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02865-x Wave buoy equipment and deployments have been primarily funded by NSW DCCEEW with equipment grant funding from the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP) awarded to the NSW Node of the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) and administered by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). The Water Research Laboratory (UNSW Sydney) also provided wave buoys used in the program. For more information on the NSW Nearshore Waves program please visit: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/our-science-and-research/our-research/water/ocean-and-coastal-waves

Current and other data from FIXED PLATFORM from 01 November 1962 to 01 July 1971. Data were collected by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in support of the Buoy Project. Current parameters include East/West velocity component (u), North/South velocity component (v), current direction, and current speed. Digital data are not available at this time. An analog file is available.

In July 1985 the Division of Oceanography embarked on a wave observation program with the deployment of two "Waverider" buoys in the Southern Ocean near Cape Sorell on the west coast of Tasmania. Data were collected from moored Waverider Buoys deployed for various periods in Tasmanian coastal waters off Cape Grim, Cape Sorell (100m), Cape Sorell (50m) and Storm Bay. These observations are used to assess both typical and extreme sea states at these sites and for estimating spatial, seasonal and interannual variations in wave conditions in the Tasmanian region. The program concluded in December 1993 when the Storm Bay buoy ceased operation. There are two distinct datasets: a) Derived statistical data is available on-line for the seven locations mentioned in "Wave Climate Measurements in the Southern Ocean." b) Sample burst data for each of (possibly) nine locations. NOTES: All instruments used, and a copy of the data obtained during this program were sent to the Bureau of Meteorology. The Marine Observation Unit at the Bureau (marine_obs@bom.gov.au) may be able to provide additional information. The data files in this collection are not in a Datacente supported format and no assurances are given as to the accuracy of data, or of the locations implied by the data file names. The CSIRO Waverider program has not been continued.

In-situ ocean wave measurements have been collected at nearshore locations along the NSW coast. Wave data are collected using GPS wave buoys that are deployed by NSW DCCEEW scientists on moorings in shallow coastal waters (< 35 m water depth) adjacent to beaches or rocky shores. The program currently uses Sofar Spotter wave buoys (https://www.sofarocean.com/products/spotter). During 2016-2017, Datawell DWR-G4 wave buoys (https://www.datawell.nl/Products/Buoys.aspx) were used, while in 2018 and 2019 both Datawell and Spotter wave buoys were used. A buoy comparison experiment was carried out in 2018, which found that wave data measured by Datawell and Spotter buoys at the same location could be considered equivalent. The wave buoys are tethered to moorings at deployment locations and float on the water surface, measuring the height, period and direction of passing waves by tracking the motion of the buoy through time using GPS. The deployments are temporary, and the duration of each wave buoy deployment varies with operational needs, ranging from several months to years. Deployment locations are chosen to support scientific research carried by NSW DCCEEW and partners on coastal dynamics along the NSW coastline and to develop nearshore wave modelling tools and data. Wave data and research support the development of Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) under the Coastal Management Act (2016). The processed wave data from completed buoy deployments include a comma-separated value (CSV) table of widely used spectral and time-domain parameters describing wave height, period and direction, derived from spectral and zero-crossing analysis techniques. Data are provided at half-hourly temporal resolution with timestamps corresponding to the end of the half-hour buoy displacement measurement period in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). Timestamps are included for each half-hour from the beginning to the end of each deployment, including when data was not recorded or when the buoy was temporarily removed from the water during mooring servicing. The time-series data have been quality controlled using standard diagnostic tests to identify suspect data points. Quality control fields (Qflag, Qcode, Percent, Dof) describe the provenance, completeness and quality of each data point. Sea surface temperature data are also provided for locations where buoys with water temperature sensors were deployed. For more information on wave buoy data collection and processing, please see: Kinsela, M.A., Morris, B.D., Ingleton, T.C., Doyle, T. B. et al. (2024) Nearshore wave buoy data from southeastern Australia for coastal research and management. Scientific Data. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02865-x Wave buoy equipment and deployments have been primarily funded by NSW DCCEEW with equipment grant funding from the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP) awarded to the NSW Node of the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) and administered by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). The Water Research Laboratory (UNSW Sydney) also provided wave buoys used in the program. Real-time data from active nearshore wave buoy deployments is also available on SEED: https://datasets.seed.nsw.gov.au/dataset/nsw-nearshore-wave-buoy-parameter-time-series-data-active-deployments For more information on the NSW Nearshore Wave Data program please visit: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/our-science-and-research/our-research/water/ocean-and-coastal-waves Data are provided as a ZIP file for each deployment under Dataset Packages below.

Current and other data were collected from moored buoys from the A. A. CUNNINGHAM and other platforms in coastal waters of California from 19 April 1989 to 17 July 1990. Data were collected by the University of Washington as part of the Southern California Bight Experiment. Parameters include current speed, current direction, u component of velocity, v component of velocity, and temperature. Some instruments also include conductivity as indicated by a C in the variable(Variable) column. S indicates speed, rather than the usual u and v; this results from bad compass data.

Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard Wave/Current Observations (F181) format. The F181 format is designed to support studies made by automated ocean sensoring devices. The format consists of ten record types. Record types A and B describe the basic environmental information to understand the data. Record types C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J are used to report current meter, water level, pressure gauge, wave height, and wave direction, spectra, fourier coefficients, and current meter respectively.

Physical and meteorological data were collected from drifting buoys from a World-Wide distribution from 01 January 1992 to 31 December 1992. Data were processed by NODC to the NODC standard F156 Drifting Buoy Data format. The F156 format is used for time series data on ocean circulation determined by the tracking of drifting buoys, drogues, or other instrumented devices as they are carried with the flow. Movement is reported as point-to-point geographic locations determined by shore-based, surface ship, aircraft, or satellite observations. Data from both ocean currents and ice movement can be reported in this format over time periods ranging from minutes to months. Directions and speeds between individual observations may be computed from these data and presented in graphic or summary listing form to provide information on circulation patterns and mass transport in offshore and near- shore regions. Platform name (for platform acquiring data or deploying device), drogue characteristics, start and end positions and times, and observation frequency (if constant time interval) are reported for each series of observation. Other surface meteorological or oceanographic parameters (e.g., water temperature and salinity, air temperature and pressure, wind, waves) and subsurface data (depth, pressure, temperature) may also be reported. Text records may be used to report general comments or to describe individual drogue observations.

Wave and other data were collected from Coastal Hawaii (NE Pacific limit-180) from a fixed Waverider buoy. Data consists of an approximately 10 day (27 March 2000 to 05 April 2000) times series of wave characteristics and temperatures. Wave characteristics include wave heights, periods, and directions. Data were collected by the University of Hawaii - Manoa (UHM).