Australia delays reinstallation of Cape du Couedic buoy by another month — ABC News Australia

In Australia, the reinstallation of the Cape du Couedic wave buoy near Kangaroo Island has been delayed by about another month. During final pre-deployment checks, specialists identified a problem with the device’s satellite communications, ABC News reports.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology had planned to install the buoy last week after it failed almost four months ago due to what the agency described as a lightning strike. Deployment has been postponed until the satellite communications fault is resolved.

New mooring system

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said a new mooring system, rather than the existing one, would be installed for the replacement buoy to improve reliability and durability. The new system components are expected to arrive soon.

The agency expects the buoy to transmit data again by the end of October 2026. However, the exact timing for safe installation will depend on favorable weather conditions.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

A series of technical failures

Over the past two years, the Cape du Couedic wave buoy has operated for a total of about 10 months. In September 2024, it was recalled after transmitting incorrect data, while repairs were delayed by nine months due to the search for a specialized mooring system from Canada.

In November 2025, the buoy’s mooring system failed: the device broke free and was washed onto Kangaroo Island. It was then out of operation for six weeks.

Cape du Couedic is the Bureau of Meteorology’s only wave buoy in South Australia. When operational, the device transmits real-time data and historical readings on significant and maximum wave heights, mean and peak wave periods, and swell direction. This information is used by commercial and recreational fishers, surfers, and abalone divers, who assess underwater visibility based on the wave period.