A new type of data buoy was designed and developed by COMC in order to monitor the oceanographic and meteorological data in the sea. To consider the operational requirements of the low cost of manufacture and refurbishment, lightweight, land and sea transportability, wave-following characteristics, and reliability, the buoy was designed as a 2.5 meters discus-shaped foam buoy to be easily and safely handled without special equipment or procedures. 

The buoy hull, which has a 5083-alloy aluminum deck diameter of 2.5 meters, consists of twelve foam flotation compartments surrounding a center payload compartment shell (0.54-meter high and 0.6-meter in diameter).  A three-legged 304-stainless steel mast bolts to pads on the buoy hull's deck.  A three-legged 304-stainless steel mooring bridle beneath the buoy provides additional stability.  Solar panels, a marker light, a radar reflector, antenna and sensors mount to the mast.  The two anemometers are mounted on the mast at approximately 3 meters above the sea surface. Sea and air temperature sensors are installed 0.4 meters below and 2 meters above the surface water, respectively. Barometric pressure measurement is taken 2 meters above the sea level. Internally mounted electronics and batteries are installed on a removable aluminum rack in the central compartment. The electronics payload system is an automated, self-timed system that processes the data into required forms and transmits the formatted codes through the radio telemetry. The buoy's payloads and light are typically powered by secondary batteries with solar charging and primary-battery backup.