In 2006, the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office received $500,000 to establish the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS) . CBIBS will combine real-time data streams from the buoys with multidisciplinary educational tools that interpret portions of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail . These tools will provide users with the products and information they need to further protect, restore, and manage the Chesapeake Bay.

NCBO and its partners are deploying three buoys in spring 2007. In April, the first "smart buoy" was launched in the James River off Jamestown, Virginia. The other two will be deployed in the Potomac River near Point Lookout, and in the Patapsco River near Baltimore. Real-time data from these buoys will be available via an interactive web site currently under development. CBIBS will be an integral part of the Chesapeake Bay Observing System (CBOS) and a component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System .

NCBO is developing educational and interpretive components to enhance the real-time and archived data provided by CBIBS. Curriculum will include basic estuary modules and sections specifically focused on the Chesapeake Bay and data collected by the buoys. Additional curricula will highlight historical, cultural, and local stories related to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail .

NCBO has positioned a buoy in Annapolis Harbor that provides a sneak preview of CBIBS' capabilities. The buoy reports real-time water quality and weather observations via wireless technology. Response to the demonstration has been overwhelmingly positive with local users requesting that the buoy remain in place indefinitely.

For more detailed information on CBIBS, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.

The first CBIBS buoy was launched in late April 2007. These photos show the buoy as it is launched from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, Derrick Boat Elizabeth. High-resolution photos of all three buoy photos on this page are available; just click on the photo to link to the high-res version. All photos were taken by Patrick Bloodgood, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District Public Affairs Office.