Sanctuary continues buoy replacement following Hurricane Irma 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary continues to replace buoys lost to Hurricane Irma in September 2017. As of Feb. 1, 2018, 77 of 101 lost buoys had been replaced. The sanctuary has more than 800 mooring, marker and spar buoys deployed over 2,900 square nautical miles of protected waters. The sanctuary’s pioneering mooring buoy system prevents vessel anchoring in sensitive bottom formations including the coral reef.

To assist in the post-hurricane efforts, the buoy team based in Key Largo recently received a mobile unit providing the ability to mobilize for onsite buoy operations as well as damage assessments and restoration. Logistics play a major role in sanctuary operations with buoy teams based in Key Largo and Key West. The new mobile buoy unit makes more efficient use of time and resources.

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