Weather Forecasting
Weather Forecasting & Wave Rider Buoys: Vital Tools in Offshore Wind Success
When it comes to offshore wind energy, the environment is as much a stakeholder as the developers, engineers, and contractors involved. Weather conditions at sea can change rapidly, and wave behavior can directly impact crew safety, equipment deployment, and project timelines. That’s why having reliable, high-resolution weather forecasting and real-time wave data from rider buoys is absolutely essential.
At Nautic Energy, we support offshore operations with a combination of expert meteorological forecasting and strategic deployment of Wave Rider Buoys — helping clients navigate both planning and real-time decision-making with confidence.
Why Offshore Weather Forecasting Matters
Weather plays a central role in every phase of an offshore wind farm’s lifecycle, from site surveys to turbine installation, and even through long-term operations and maintenance.
Here’s why accurate weather forecasts are mission-critical:
Safety First: Sudden weather changes can endanger personnel on Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) or jack-up barges. Reliable forecasts allow operations to be paused in advance.
Operational Efficiency: Knowing when weather windows will close or open means better planning of SIMOPS (simultaneous operations) and vessel scheduling.
Turbine Access Windows: Access to turbines is often limited by wind speed, sea state, and wave height. Forecasting helps maximise technician work hours and reduce downtime.
Compliance & Reporting: Documented forecasting and weather-related decisions support health, safety, and contractual compliance.
The Role of Wave Rider Buoys
Wave Rider Buoys are floating, instrumented platforms designed to measure:
Significant wave height (Hs)
Wave direction and period
Sea surface temperature
Wind speed and gusts
Current speed and direction (in some models)
These buoys are strategically positioned around wind farm sites to provide live, site-specific data that complements forecast models.
At Nautic Energy, our Wave Rider Buoy & Communications System allows:
Real-time access to wave and weather data
Remote health monitoring of buoy performance
Seamless data integration with Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) and site dashboards
Forecast + Data = Smarter Decisions
The combination of forecasting expertise and wave buoy instrumentation offers clients a 360° view of environmental risk:
🔄 Planning future lifts or crew transfers based on predicted sea states
🚧 Delaying SIMOPS when wind or wave thresholds are exceeded
📈 Analysing downtime or work limits after unexpected weather conditions
This empowers Marine Coordinators, Site Managers, and Offshore Construction Leads to make data-backed decisions that improve safety and save costs.
Trusted by Offshore Leaders
Nautic Energy’s forecasting and buoy deployment services are trusted by clients across the UK, Europe, and Taiwan. We understand the nuances of each regional weather system — from the dynamic Taiwan Strait to the harsh North Sea.
Whether it's typhoon tracking, real-time sea state alerts, or 7-day workability planning, our systems are built around your operational needs.
Final Thoughts 💬
In offshore wind, weather is the ultimate variable — and being able to anticipate, adapt, and act on weather intelligence is what separates reactive teams from proactive leaders.
With Nautic Energy's Weather Forecasting and Wave Rider Buoy Services, you gain the insight, tools, and support to keep your project safe, on time, and within scope — no matter what the skies bring.
Want to learn how our forecast services and wave monitoring systems can support your next project?
Contact us here or visit our Worldwide Weather Forecasting and Virtual Buoy & Communications page for more info.