Navigating setbacks: retrieval of the Bahia Tomas smart mooring system
Maintaining marine technology is an ongoing challenge—one that requires constant learning, adaptation, and resilience. No matter how many precautions we take, the ocean always finds a way to remind us of its unpredictability. But that’s the beauty of it: learn, apply, maintain, repeat. Each setback is an opportunity to refine our methods and push the boundaries of what we know.
Unfortunately, last week our team had to remove the smart mooring system located in Bahía Tomas, Cuajiniquil, in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. About a week before our scheduled maintenance, we noticed irregularities in the data. Upon arriving on-site, we confirmed that water had entered the Spotter’s brain, creating internal humidity and affecting its performance.
In collaboration with our captain Keylor, we prioritized two critical actions: first, retrieving the SD card containing five months' worth of invaluable data, and second, removing the entire buoy for troubleshooting. Once we diagnose the issue and assess whether we have the necessary replacements, we will determine whether to redeploy the system or use it as a model for future workshops.
Although this is not the best news, the data collected remains highly valuable for upcoming analyses. These types of failures are a common challenge in oceanographic research. We do everything possible to maintain and protect our instruments, but sometimes, the ocean has the final say! Fortunately, our team continues working with other ocean observing technologies, such as Argo Floats, which will feature in upcoming lab notes.
Long-term time series like this one are essential for understanding the functioning of the upwelling region. Thanks to sustained monitoring, we can analyze the frequency of warm and cold pulses and their correlation with wind intensity and direction. These insights are crucial for deciphering the local dynamics and advancing our understanding of the Golfo de Santa Elena and influence of the upwelling.
As a side note, during the system's downtime, reports of mass marine fauna mortality in the area emerged. Local tour operators and decision-makers reached out to us for temperature readings from the buoy. Unfortunately, due to the system failure, we were unable to provide precise measurements at the time. However, this incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining a fully operational monitoring system to assess and respond to environmental events like these.
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