NIOT develops indigenous fishing boat-based real-time ocean observation system

The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, has developed and demonstrated an indigenously-built fishing boat-based real-time ocean observation system that can be used to collect data such as water temperature, salinity and depth even in shallow waters, especially estuaries.

Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director, NIOT, said that this was one their new developments on which their team headed by S. Muthukkumaravel, Group Head, Ocean Electronics Group, NIOT. “A specially-designed towing profile is attached to a winch and lowered into the sea as the boat moves at an optimal speed and records data continuously. Shaped like a fish head, it helps in continuous profiling of the water column. It differs from oceanography measurements such as moored buoys as it moves and can go below 150mts depth depending on the length of the winch cable,” he explained. This equipment may also help us in understanding climate change modelling and may also help understand the weather forecasting system as well, he added.

Mr. Muthukkumaravel explained that since the equipment can be affixed on fishing boats and trawlers, it can be deployed in shallow waters too. The probe, however, stops 5 metres short of the ocean bottom since the aim is not to disturb the floor and keep the probe intact. This is possible due to a bathymetric device attached to the bottom of the boat.

NIOT has planned to conduct systematic pre- and post-monsoon surveys along five key river mouths along the Tamil Nadu coast. The data will support ongoing efforts in climate resilience, coastal ecosystem management, and marine health monitoring, he added.