'Good of Éowyn to return it': Marine data buoy from the UK Met Office found on Kerry shore

A marine buoy from the Met Office. Picture: Carlow Weather via X

There was a curious sight on a beach in Kerry this Friday as a marine data buoy from the UK Met Office was found.

Used to provide vital data for weather forecast, the Met Office buoy had been lost at sea due to previous storms.

It was spotted on Reenroe beach, Ballinskelligs by a passer-by.

Irish Lights, also known as the Commissioners of Irish Lights, have secured the buoy until it can be retrieved by Met Office.

"Thanks for sharing the images, it is a marine buoy that is usually moored in a fixed location. This one came adrift during Storm Bert, and then we lost contact with it during Storm Darragh. Good of Éowyn to return it for us!," Met Office said on X.

"@IrishLights are kindly securing it to prevent it washing away and our engineers are planning to retrieve it when conditions allow."

According to the Marine Institute, the buoy network provides vital data for weather forecasts, shipping bulletins, gale and swell warnings as well as data for general public information and research.