Unusual buoy found on beach

Observation by Chefornak Tribal Staff with help from Kevin Heller:

An unidentified object washed up to the mouth of the river, close to the community. The object appears to contain some sort of technology, as it has a green light illuminated, indicating it is "on." I have attached photos for reference. I recommended they not move or touch it in the mean time. The community is growing increasingly concerned due to the uncertainty surrounding the object. I believe it might be a mooring buoy used for oceanographic or environmental monitoring, but I cannot be certain. I plan to reach out to the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) for further clarification. If anyone has a more suitable contact or additional insight, please let me know as soon as possible.

Comment from Kevin Heller (8/14/24):

NOAA has claimed possession of the object. It is one of their deep sea monitoring installations that broke off from where it was placed. They are in the process of coordinating the pick up of the object.

Update from Kevin Heller (8/19/24):

I'm sorry to inform you that the float is no longer at the location where the community had secured it. Last week, before the float was identified, the community tied it down with rope and stakes. However, as you may have heard, the region recently experienced severe storms, causing significant flooding and erosion. You can read more about the storm's impact here: "Bering Sea storm brings erosion and flooding to Western Alaska communities." Due to the extreme weather conditions, the community was unable to access the river mouth until yesterday. Upon their return, they discovered that the land had eroded, and unfortunately, the float was lost as a result.

LEO Network comment:

Thanks to Kevin and everyone that contributed to this observation. The monitoring buoy is again adrift. Our friends at NOAA would like us to know that if buoys or other unidentified items are observed in the future, there are specific steps that should be taken stay safe while an identification is being made. Please see guidance from ANTHC's Contaminated Sites program for guidance.

Final Update from Kevin Heller

Storm Complications: Severe storms hit the region, causing significant flooding and erosion. The community’s efforts to secure the float with rope and stakes were thwarted by the extreme weather. By the time the community was able to return to the site, the float was missing due to the erosion and flooding caused by the storm. Successful Retrieval: Against the odds, the float was eventually found farther up the coast by the resilient Chefornak community. Kevin Heller, working alongside local Ryan Air Agent, Northern Air Cargo, and NOAA, coordinated the safe return of the float to Seattle. This involved meticulous logistical planning and collaboration between local and federal agencies.

NOAA's Analysis and Response

NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory expressed their appreciation for the community’s efforts and the effective coordination involved in retrieving the float. The float, used to study temperature changes and the impact of ice on marine ecosystems, was a crucial tool in NOAA’s research. Despite the wear and tear from its time at sea, the float's data will provide valuable insights into temperature variations and climate change impacts on marine life, particularly species like fish and crab that are vital to the region’s ecosystem. NOAA has also been invited to participate in a trip being planned by the Contaminated Sites Program in January to explain to the community of Chefornak what the instrument does and how it tells us more about our oceans. NOAA also acknowledged the need for improved visibility and identification of their equipment. The float, which had been partially disintegrated, will be updated to better display NOAA’s identification in future deployments.