Met Services unveil new tools for early warning

Barbados has rolled out two new high-tech tools to strengthen its early warning systems ahead of the hurricane season, further declaring its intent to reduce reliance on foreign forecasting agencies and instead chart its own path in climate preparedness.

At a launch ceremony held at the Barbados Coast Guard Base on Tuesday, the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) unveiled an upgraded version of its unmanned surface vessel (USV), Seawolf, along with a spotter buoy designed to collect real-time data on ocean and atmospheric conditions.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams, shared that the move was not just about equipment, but about regional self-sufficiency in the face of increasing climate threats and changing global alliances.

“With what is happening in the US, we are not depending on the accustomed collaborations we used to have before,” he said.

“The Caribbean territories have put ourselves in a position where we can stand alone and predict — and do more than forecast — for ourselves. This is not a game. Our early warning saves lives.”

He stressed that the government’s confidence in the BMS was well-earned and not accidental, describing it as the best-functioning meteorological service in the region.

“We as a government will continue to back them, because it is in the interest of all our citizens,” Abrahams said.

“We will put you in the best position to do what you need to do to keep yourself safe, to keep your family safe, and to be as prepared as possible for this hurricane season.”

The minister also reiterated that the island is shifting its timeline for hurricane readiness, aiming for full operational preparedness by May 1, which he noted is a departure from the traditional June start, to reflect the growing unpredictability of severe weather events linked to climate change.

Also speaking during the ceremony, Director of the BMS Sabu Best emphasised the power of collaboration in bringing the project to life.

“BMS is not the achiever here. A lot of agencies and departments, including the Barbados Defence Force and the National Conservation Commission, worked together to make this happen,” he said.

“When we face the impacts of climate change that we’ve been witnessing over the last decade or so, this collaboration is important. I can’t stress that enough.”

Best said the enhancements made to Seawolf over the past two years reflect lessons learned during previous deployments.

The vessel now features a state-of-the-art camera for live streaming, a suite of sensors to monitor wind speed, wave height, water temperature, and ocean conductivity, and a solar-powered system capable of supporting missions lasting several weeks.

The spotter buoy, meanwhile, will provide continuous data on sea surface conditions, wind, and barometric pressure from a fixed location.

The upgraded USV will operate east of Barbados within the Exclusive Economic Zone, while the spotter buoy will be launched off the west coast.

The officials shared that these advanced marine monitoring tools will enhance the BMS’ capacity to monitor sea-state conditions and track the intensity and location of tropical cyclones.

The data collected will further improve the accuracy of its numerical weather simulations, contributing to the expansion of the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning System.

“These technologies are going to unlock a lot, not just for BMS, but for Barbados,” Best said.

“Let us lead — not just BMS, but Barbados — and let’s continue to collaborate.”

The new buoy and unmanned vessel are the latest additions to a growing suite of tools being deployed by Barbados as it aims to modernise its climate resilience infrastructure and improve what officials laud as real-time decision-making during disaster events. (SM)