BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has launched an upgraded Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), named Seawolf, and a new spotter buoy, marking a significant step forward in the island’s capacity for early warning and disaster preparedness.

“This…picks up wind speed; it gets sea swells, ocean temperatures, [and] currents. All these are the things that we need to know to develop our modelling and to make evidence-based decisions we can put up relating to the sea,” said Barbados’ Home Affairs and Information Minister, Wilfred Abrahams.

Abrahams stressed the need for early warning systems and proactive preparation, especially in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. He addressed also the importance of a collaborative approach to hurricane preparedness, highlighting the involvement of various Bajan government agencies, including the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), the Coast Guard, the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification, the National Conservation Commission, and the Department of Emergency Management.

The minister noted the effectiveness of the USVs in providing early warnings during past weather events and explained that the new equipment will further enhance the BMS’ ability to monitor sea-state conditions, tropical cyclone intensity, and other critical meteorological data.

“Barbados Met Services, I dare say, is the best functioning Met Services department in the entire Caribbean,” Abrahams claimed, reiterating the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources to further strengthen its capabilities.

“The June start [of the hurricane season] is no longer relevant. Things have shifted from what we knew before. Our Government has a target of operational readiness for the hurricane season from the first of May,” he added.

BMS director, Sabu Best stressed the need for collaboration, noting that the achievements were a result of the combined efforts of multiple agencies and departments.

“Collaboration…is important. It really is. I can’t stress on it…. This success is not BMS’. It isn’t. It’s all these agencies. It’s BMS, BDF, NCC, [and] the entire ministries. There are a lot of agencies and departments working together to make this happen,” he said

In addition, Best highlighted the significance of the newly launched technology, noting “this spotted buoy and this drone…represents a lot of improvements”.