EMECO

WaveNet

Overview 

WaveNet is a Defra led strategic initiative  to form a national wave buoy network to monitor wave conditions along stretches of the coastline.

There are around 40 active buoys in the North Sea that routinely measure wave characterics (e.g. wave height, period, direction, and spread), wind speed and direction, water level, temperature, and depth. The buoys are located in many areas that are at risk from flooding.

The wave monitoring network is expected to provide historic wave data for use in coastal defence studies and validation of numerical wave models, historic wave data for use in climate change studies, near real time wave data for use by The Environment Agency in coastal flood forecasting and warning, and near real time data for use by the UK Met Office as input into operational wave forcasting models.

The near real time and historic data are freely available on the internet for use in ports, leisure, construction, and access operations, and the public.

More Information about WaveNet

Take the WaveNet Google Earth Tour

1.	If you not have Google Earth installed on your computer Click here to download Google Earth, otherwise skip this step.
2.	Open Google Earth and open the touring options (for a PC: Google Earth -> Tools -> Options -> Touring; for a Mac: Google Earth -> Preferences -> Touring).
3.	Check the "Show balloon when tour is paused" checkbox and set the "tour pause" to 30 "seconds" (or to your preferred pause time). Return to these instructions
4.	Click here to download the WaveNet Google Earth tour. This will open in Google Earth.
5.	Click the Play button at the bottom of the "Places" directory at left or go to Tools in the top menu and select Play Tour.