The USF Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMPS) Buoys: Surviving Hurricane Ian

The University of South Florida's Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (USF-COMPS) is a coordinated program comprised of real-time observations with offshore moorings, coastal stations and HF radars for the West Florida Shelf (WFS) that has been sustained for more than two decades. Currently, COMPS moorings consist of a network of 4 real-time met-ocean buoys and 3 bottom mounted current meter stations. In late September of 2022 Hurricane Ian transited the southern WFS passing over two COMPS buoys, one located near the Dry Tortugas and one located offshore of Ft Meyers Beach where Ian eventually made landfall. Both stations recorded the initial approach of Ian but ultimately lost data transmissions due to damaged antennas. In an example of a 'bend but don't break' design, both buoys were moved off of their positions significantly in response to strong winds and extreme waves but they did not break free, with lower moorings remaining intact and observational payloads preserved. Both buoys were relied upon for offshore winds and currents as the storm approached and we report on how the buoy design allows for survivability in the harshest of conditions associated with the passage of a Category 4 hurricane.