Cefas SmartBuoy Test: Dowsing Marine Sensor Data from 2000

A test dataset for SensorWeb Enablement technology accessing public marine sensor data via the Cefas Data Hub API. It emulates the service provided by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) SmartBuoy observational network. The data originates from the Dowsing SmartBuoy, which started logging in November 2000 and remains operational.

Use Cases

• Testing SensorWeb Enablement (SWE) technology implementations based on the description.
• Prototyping API access to marine environmental data based on the described Cefas Data Hub.
• Emulating the data service of the operational Cefas SmartBuoy website mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Data originates from a long-term operational sensor buoy that started logging in November 2000.
• The dataset is associated with a specific, authoritative source: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas).
• The buoy has a precise geographic location at 53.5313 N, 1.0531 E.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality, columns, and file formats require manual inspection after download.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The dataset is explicitly labeled as a test, which may indicate it is not a primary, curated research product.

Provenance

Source

Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) via the Cefas Data Hub API.

Collection Method

Observational data logged by the Dowsing SmartBuoy sensor network.

Time Range

November 2000 onward (the buoy's operational period).

Freshness

The Dowsing SmartBuoy is described as still operational, but the last update date for this specific test dataset is unknown.

Geography

North Sea, at coordinates 53.5313 N, -1.0531 E (Dowsing location).