Florida buoy's 4,400-mile Atlantic journey ends at Cumbrian beach

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 06:56 · Archive

A yellow buoy from Florida's Western Sambo Sanctuary travelled 4,400 miles across the Atlantic Ocean before washing ashore on a Cumbrian beach in April 2023. The buoy was found between Silecroft and Haverigg and is now on display near Haverigg boathouse, the base of the Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team.

Local resident Alison Smith discovered the buoy during a walk and recorded its identifying information. She contacted the National Marine Sanctuary Program in the Florida Keys, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The organisation confirmed the buoy's origins, though staff could not determine when it was released into the sea. They expressed pleasure that it had reached Cumbria, and their findings were shared with news organisations including CBS News.

Millom Mayor Simone Faulkner has created artwork on the buoy to honour the rescue team. She painted the underside in the style of Japanese artist Hokusai's 'The Great Wave' and decorated the top with four action scenes based on photographs of the Haverigg Inshore Rescue boat at sea.

Faulkner said she wanted to give something back to the community. 'Haverigg Inshore Rescue relies entirely on volunteers who remain ready to respond day or night,' she explained. 'I believe the eye-catching buoy celebrates their courage.'

A QR code on the buoy's side encourages passers-by to donate and support the rescue team. The 32-inch buoy is believed to have originated from the Western Sambo Sanctuary Preservation Area near Key West, Florida.

How it is being reported

• 4,400-mile Atlantic journey brings Florida buoy to CumbriaA buoy from Florida’s Western Sambo Sanctuary travelled 4,400 miles to Haverigg, Cumbria, where Mayor Simone Faulkner painted it to honour rescuers.Whitehaven News · 19 Oct, 06:00
• 4,400-mile Atlantic journey brings Florida buoy to CumbriaA buoy from Florida’s Western Sambo Sanctuary travelled 4,400 miles to Haverigg, Cumbria, where Mayor Simone Faulkner painted it to honour rescuers.Westmorland Gazette · 19 Oct, 06:00
• 4,400-mile Atlantic journey brings Florida buoy to CumbriaA buoy from Florida’s Western Sambo Sanctuary travelled 4,400 miles to Haverigg, Cumbria, where Mayor Simone Faulkner painted it to honour rescuers.NW Evening Mail · 19 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Haverigg · Cumbria · Florida · Simone Faulkner · Alison Smith · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team

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