Lightweight Low Drag Fast Water Buoys.
Abstract
This report presents the development of the Coast Guard fast water buoys. Fast water buoys are principally used on the 'Western Rivers' (Mississippi River and its tributaries) although coastal channels where fast tidal currents exist may also require a fast water buoy. The development of a lightweight buoy which can be used in currents up to 8 MPH was the design goal of this study. Associated with the fast current environment is a substantial amount of debris, ranging from mill grass to fallen trees. The buoys presently in use tend to submerge in fast currents and generally can only be recognized by the surface water disturbance. After design, testing, and evaluation of several types of fast water buoys, two sizes of spherical section buoys have been developed. Over 1400 of these fast water buoys are presently being procured for operational use during 1977. The two fast water buoys were designed for complementary purposes. The larger buoy (FNR4 and FCR4) was designed to operate between 3 MPH and 8 MPH although it may be used in currents of less than 3 MPH if the suspended mooring weight (and external ballast) is over 35 pounds. This 160-pound buoy has a spherical section foam-filled hull that is 5 feet in diameter and removable hollow NUN and CAN daymarks that provide a nominal 1-1/4 mile range. This buoy will be used in open rivers (such as the lower Mississippi) and selected coastal channels where currents commonly exceed 5 MPH. The smaller buoy was designed to operate in currents of 0 MPH to 6 MPH. This 150-pound buoy has a spherical section foam-filled hull that is 4-1/3 feet in diameter and has ballast permanently attached.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA039493
Entities
People
- D. D. Ryan Iii
- W. E. Colburn Jr.
Organizations
- [Means, goals and clinical aims of physioradiological methods of examination.]