抄録
GPS drifting buoy system was developed to measure precisely the currents in coastal or bay area. This system consists of two drifting buoys equipped with GPS receivers and land-based station. The technical problems were investigated and solved in the research measurements off the estuary of Fuji River at the innermost of Suruga Bay. The tracking of the GPS drifting buoy was proved different from the currents at the drogue suspended down 30 m deep. This may be caused of current changes with depth.
The performance of the GPS drifting buoy system was tested in Nakagusuku Bay of Okinawa Island during 10/18-10/24/1991. This bay is almost surrounded with cays and coral reefs. The drogue was suspended down 5 m deep in this research. The wind blew from the northeast through the research period. The GPS drifting buoys were carried along the direction of the wind and drifted to-and-fro with the tide. The currentmeter suspended down 5 m from the buoy showed that the buoy moved almost together with the currents caused of wind and tide.
