A sophisticated radio beacon to record and transmit data on wave heights and speed was deployed some 1.5 k.m. off Ramakrishna Beach here on Monday. The Regional Centre of the National Institute of Oceanography deployed the sophisticated electronic instrument wave rider tethered to the sea bed at a depth of around 10 metres.
The beacon would transmit the recorded data through satellite. At present it is being recorded at our headquarters in Goa, once we get the equipment we would be able to monitor it from here, Station In Charge of NIO Regional Centre VSN Murty told The Hindu.
The HQ would be sending staff and equipment soon to the regional centre to be able to record the data and study it. This data would help us understand better the near shore dynamics of the sea and through that help us evolve a long-term solution to beach erosion, Mr. Murty explained. The NIO plans to deploy the instrument for at least a year.
The instrument was deployed with the logistic support provided by SECON on behalf of the Visakhapatnam Port Trust. The instrument is in the high traffic channel and there is a need for someone to be present there and monitor the traffic around it. The Port Trust is providing the fuel for the boat to be used to deploy a watch and ward staff at the buoy, he said appealing to the fisherfolk and others not to disturb the buoy lest the data collection be affected.
