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On Monday, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, announced the successful redeployment of previously inoperable National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather buoy 46089 at the mouth of the Columbia River.
The redeployment follows the repair of nearby buoy 46029 last summer.
In a news release, Gluesenkamp Perez said the buoys are critical to providing up-to-date and accurate weather information that helps fishermen, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Columbia River Bar pilots operate safely.
“For industries like crab fishing, where every hour counts, this data gathered from the buoys is integral to safe decision making,” Gluesenkamp Perez stated in the release. “Without data from the buoys, our local crabbers must decide on whether to miss time during a shorter season or put themselves and their crew at risk. With these two weather buoys back in operation, our fishermen, bar pilots and Coast Guardsmen will be better able to make safe, informed decisions as crab season and winter approach. I’m glad I could help get these buoys back on the water to ensure folks can return home safely to their families and our maritime economy keeps moving.”
Gluesenkamp Perez wrote to NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad earlier this year urging the agency to repair both buoys after being alerted by constituents that only one of the three buoys in the area was functional, according to the release.
Without operational weather buoys, the Columbia River Bar Pilots, who navigate roughly 3,600 vessels across the dangerous bar each year, have to close the bar more frequently, the release stated.
“Many thanks to Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for her efforts encouraging the redeployment of two NOAA weather buoys,” said Columbia River Bar Pilot Captain Dan Jordan. “These buoys are an integral component for accurate offshore weather forecasts that are used to determine the safety of vessels in the ocean and crossing the Columbia River Bar. The National Weather Service monitors wave and wind data from these buoys to update forecasts used by the Columbia River Bar Pilots to safely schedule vessel movements. (The) deployment of Buoy 46089 is a crucial safety factor for all mariners with the impending winter weather.”
