A solar-powered NOAA research buoy nicknamed “Bob” has drifted away from its moorings in the Gulf of Mexico for the second time in less than a year, prompting a lighthearted but serious appeal from federal scientists who rely on its data.
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A research buoy, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and affectionately dubbed “Bob,” has once more vanished in the Gulf of Mexico. This week, officials from the agency reported that it had drifted away from a designated coral reef area near the Texas coast.
Bob, a solar-powered Spotter buoy developed by Sofar Ocean, is usually positioned in the eastern part of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, a federally protected area celebrated for its vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life. A buoy is assigned the important role of collecting vital data, including wave height, wind speed, and both surface and reef temperatures, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NOAA officials report that the buoy was last seen drifting southeast from the sanctuary area. In a surprising development, Bob’s GPS beacon remains operational, allowing scientists to track its path through a Sofar tracking dashboard.
“While this may seem like a delightful adventure for ‘Bob’ as he explores the newly expanded sanctuary to the east, we genuinely wish for ‘Bob’ to come back from his vacation,” the agency remarked in a Facebook post on Monday concerning the disappearance.
NOAA spokesperson Taylor Galaviz reported that the most recent detection of the buoy occurred on Wednesday morning, located southeast of the Rezak and Sidner Banks, underwater geological formations roughly 110 miles south of the Texas-Louisiana border.
This event signifies yet another occasion on which Bob sets off on an unexpected adventure.
In September 2024, after Hurricane Francine swept through the Gulf, the buoy was dislodged from its moorings. A few days later, while on a research expedition in the vicinity, NOAA successfully retrieved it. Galaviz indicated that no similar research excursions are currently scheduled.
NOAA reports that Bob’s counterpart in the sanctuary’s western sector, a buoy known as “Kevin,” is securely moored and operating as expected.
The agency's online appeal for help in locating Bob ignited a wave of humor across social media platforms, as users whimsically proposed a "teenage rebellion" and speculated that the buoy might soon reappear "with a few new tattoos." Concerns have been raised about NOAA's decision to delay retrieving the buoy, especially now that it is under monitoring.
As per NOAA, “While the buoy is being tracked, it is not the best use of our resources to pursue it at this time.” “We will monitor its location closely and urge anyone who spots the buoy to contact us.”
People who encounter the buoy are urged to contact us via email at flowergarden@noaa.gov. A spotter buoy akin to Bob is estimated to cost around $6,600. However, Galaviz indicated that the agency is not offering any financial incentive for its return.
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