MARSHFIELD -The Atlantic Resilience Innovation Institute (ARII) launched its third coastal hazard buoy this week off Plum Island, advancing a six-site network designed to give Massachusetts communities better tools to prepare for rising seas and stronger storms.
ARII, which brings together Northeastern University, the Marshfield Coastal Hazard Lab, and the Marshfield Coastal Academy (MCA), is working to close a critical gap in coastal protection. While North Carolina has a testing facility for hazard-mitigation technology, the Northeast has lacked a comparable site, despite facing some of the nation’s most costly flooding risks.
The buoy network aims to change that. Sensors on each buoy capture real-time data on wave activity, wind speed, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. That information can help towns craft smarter coastal policies and guide investments to strengthen seawalls, beaches, and other infrastructure.
The project responds directly to the Seaport Economic Council’s call for proposals that leverage technology to protect communities and advance the state’s “blue economy.” The first two buoys were deployed in Marshfield and Plymouth; additional ones are planned for Winthrop, Gloucester, and Revere.
The urgency is clear: protecting New England’s coastline could cost more than $100 billion, with Boston and New York City accounting for roughly a third of the total. In Marshfield, annual seawall repairs and storm-related damage already top $1 million. And while once tied mainly to Nor’easters, flooding and seawall splash-overs are now common even during astronomical high tides. By comparison, recovery from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 cost roughly $50 billion.
“Achieving coastal resilience requires collaboration across sectors,” said Lara Brait, Director of Industry Partnerships at ARII. “With ARII’s buoy network expanding across Massachusetts, we are creating new employment opportunities and building a resilient coastline that protects both people and ecosystems for generations to come.”
Alongside its research, ARII is investing in workforce development through the Marshfield Coastal Academy. MCA prepares students for careers as entry-level coastal field technicians through a six-month program (two semesters) paired with a three-month paid industry internship. Students gain hands-on experience with instrumentation, industrial methods, and quality-control practices while also building “hard” and “soft” skills under the guidance of industry mentors.
MCA’s mission is to build a career pipeline that supports both community and regional resilience, ensuring Massachusetts has the trained workforce needed to respond to climate impacts. By linking students, industry, and academic partners, MCA hopes to grow opportunities in the state’s blue economy while helping coastal communities prepare for the future.
With this latest launch, ARII says it remains committed to protecting lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure by combining innovation, education, and scientific rigor at a scale unique to New England.
More information about ARII can be found here.