United States Coast Guard Captains License Practice Exam

Weather buoys are primarily deployed to collect weather and oceanographic data. These floating platforms are equipped with various instruments that measure parameters such as wind speed and direction, air temperature, sea surface temperature, wave height, and atmospheric pressure. This information is crucial for understanding and forecasting weather patterns, as well as studying oceanographic conditions, which can significantly impact marine navigation, fishing, and broader climate research.

While some weather buoys may indirectly assist fishing activities by providing data on conditions favorable for fishing, their main purpose remains the collection of meteorological and oceanographic information. Navigation buoys, which provide assistance to ships, and buoys that mark dangerous areas, serve different specific roles and are not classified as weather buoys. Therefore, the accuracy and functionality of weather buoys as data collectors justify the choice of answer focused on their contribution to weather and oceanography.