A marine buoy has made an incredible transatlantic trip to reach North Donegal – two years after it went missing off the US coast.
The large marker was discovered on Saturday at the Bloody Foreland by local teen Padraig O’Donnell.
Marine buoy found at Bloody Foreland, Gaoth Dobhair. Photo Padraig O’Donnell
Intrigued by his find, the 15-year-old set about investigating where the buoy came from.
And his emails to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries led to even greater discoveries.
Scientists were amazed to learn that the buoy had travelled all the way to Ireland – some 3,500 miles away. It was originally used to mark the location of an artificial reef off Ocracoke Island before it broke away from its mooring. Artificial reefs are constructed to protect habitat for fish species and signified by bright yellow buoys.
Marine buoy found at Bloody Foreland, Gaoth Dobhair. Photo Padraig O’Donnell
This marker had been missing for at least two years, according to the Artificial Reef Coordinator in North Carolina. Other staff with the Division were fascinated by the fact that the buoy had travelled so far through the Gulf Stream to Donegal.
That’s quite the souvenir!
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