The news has largely passed under the radar, yet it is exceptionally important, as the buoys will significantly improve navigational safety in the Adriatic. They will also prove invaluable in furthering our understanding of the changes taking place both on and beneath the surface of the sea as a result of climate change.

At its meeting on 21 August 2025, the Croatian Government adopted a decision granting special use of the maritime domain for the installation of meteorological and oceanographic buoys. Under the decision, the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, DHMZ, has been granted special use of the maritime domain for a period of 35 years. For this purpose, DHMZ will use a total area of 6,171 square metres of maritime domain.

5 Buoys Already Installed

Five meteorological and oceanographic buoys have been installed so far. The data they collect is available in real time on the DHMZ website. The buoys are equipped with sensors that measure wind direction and speed, as well as wave direction, height and period. They also measure air temperature, humidity and pressure, horizontal visibility, global solar radiation, sea temperature and salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and chlorophyll. For scientists, all these measurements represent a true wealth of information. For those at sea, they can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

The 28 new meteorological and oceanographic buoys will provide meteorologists and oceanographers with a rich mine of data from locations where no measurements have previously been taken. Until now, weather and oceanographic conditions at these sites could only be predicted through models and calculations.

The new buoys will increase the amount of input data available for forecasting models while also allowing previous calculations to be verified, benefiting both science and, ultimately, seafarers. Forecasts will improve, and those at sea will be able to see the actual weather conditions at these locations or along their route at any given time. This will be particularly important for offshore navigation and in areas for which such information has not previously been available.

We can only wish DHMZ every success in implementing the plan as quickly as possible and installing the remaining 23 buoys.

WORDS Marko Vučetić
PHOTOGRAPHY DHMZ