Case Study – Ring Buoy Sensors

Ring Buoy Sensors – A Smart City Case Study

In Dublin, ring buoys are more than just safety equipment – they are critical life-saving tools. But every week, dozens of ring buoys go missing or are vandalised, leaving waterways unprotected and lives at risk. To tackle this challenge, Dublin City Council (DCC), in partnership with Water Safety Ireland, launched an innovative project to monitor and protect ring buoys using smart technology sensors.

The problem was clear: stolen or damaged ring buoys were costing the city over €20,000 annually and creating serious safety hazards for citizens. Previously, inspections were done manually, with water safety officers checking each buoy by hand using paper charts. This system was slow, inefficient, and reactive rather than proactive.

In response, DCC explored low-cost, real-time monitoring solutions using Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and Low Powered Wide Area Networks (LPWAN). These sensors are now installed in the ring buoy storage boxes and connected to a mobile, map-based platform. When a buoy is removed from the storage box, water safety officers receive instant alerts, allowing for faster, more targeted replacement times.

The results of this project were highly successful. The smart system not only reduces the number of missing buoys but also shortens the time they’re out of service. It has cut down on manual inspections and provided valuable data on theft patterns and areas, helping authorities respond more strategically.

Thanks to a unique procurement model, the technology was piloted in Dublin and then rolled out to eight other local authorities across Ireland. It’s a shining example of how smart city innovation can start with a local problem and grow into a national solution that can be easily replicated across Irish local authorities. 

This initiative has earned praise from government leaders and safety experts alike. It’s a powerful reminder that even the simplest pieces of life-saving infrastructure, like a ring buoy, can get upgraded through digital innovation.

To learn more about smart technology case studies in Dublin, contact us at info@smartdocklands.ie!