Performance of WAVY Ocean Lagrangian Drifters for Surface Characterization of Ocean Dynamic Structures

Low-cost drifters can measure ocean surface waves thanks to global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) and new motion-sensor packages. Drifting along or across current gradients allows for unique in-situ wave- current interactions observations. In this paper, we examine the responses of different hull designs in order to determine the best WAVY Ocean casing for detecting wave-current interactions, including wind and short gravitational wave components. The estimated currents, wave parameters and sea surface temperature measured by three different designs of the WAVY Ocean drifters are compared in a wide range of sea state conditions (winds up to 12 m/s and significant wave height up to 2.5 m are accounted).

Automated summary

This study compares the measurements of currents, waves, and sea surface temperatures in various sea conditions using different designs of drifters to determine the optimal casing design for detecting wave-current interactions.