NIO Deploys Buoy to Study Wave Pattern

VISAKHAPATNAM: In yet another step to understand the wave pattern and find a permanant solution to the sea erosion threatening the coastal areas of Visakhapatnam, the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) deployed a sophisticated electronic wave rider buoy to record and transmit data on wave heights and speed at some 1.5 km off RK Beach here Monday. The buoy was tethered to the sea bed at a depth of around 10 metre.

The beach conservation project, comprising study of wave patterns, heights and speed, is crucial for finding a solution to the beach erosion which has become severe in the recent times. The study being carried out by the NIO regional centre in Visakhapatnam is aimed at recording the wave data, which will be  transmitted to the NIO headquarters in Goa.

“The data is recorded at regular intervals of 15 minutes and transmitted to our headquarters in Goa. We are also acquiring required equipment to monitor the data from our regional office in Visakhapatnam,” NIO regional centre station in-charge VSN Murthy told Express. The NIO headquarters will deploy required staff and equipment to the regional office to record the data and study it to help the scientists understand the near-shore dynamics of the sea.

Murthy said that the buoy would be deployed in the area for a period of one year. A watch boat also has been deployed to ensure that it is not damaged by the fishermen who venture into the area for fishing.

“The equipment is placed in the high traffic channel and there is need to monitor the traffic. The Visakhapatnam Port Trust is providing the logistical support to deploy the watch boat and staff to alert the fishermen a about the presence of the buoy,” he added.

Fishermen can identify the buoy easily as it has a red beacon and antennas attached to it. The NIO has spent `40 lakh to acquire the buoy and other equipment apart from spending another `3-4 lakh a month towards data recording and monitoring.

Meanwhile, another team of experts concluded its study of beach erosion on Saturday and is expected to submit its report in the next couple of weeks. The team deployed underwater sensors to study the conditions in the sea and their impact on the beach a week ago.