The Italian Wave Measurement Buoy Network: 12 Years Management Experience

A modern directional wave measurement network is operational since 1989 around the Italian coasts. The remote-controlled buoy system is managed by the National Marine Service (SIMN) with excellent results in terms of data acquisition rates, temporal coverage and reliability. This pioneer network and early results of data analysis have been described in previous papers (see references). Recently this permanent system has been upgraded and expanded (from 8 to 14 stations) after a careful revision of either the sensors and the software for signal transmission, acquisition and analysis. The developments of monitoring technology are now calling for faster real-time data distribution and control. The paper aims to inform about the lessons learned during a 12-year management experience, in order to improve the design of similar networks in other countries. Some interesting updated results of data verification and analysis are also given.