Operational Programs > Ocean Observation System > Introduction
Systematic real-time meteorological and oceanographic observations are necessary to improve oceanographic services and predictive capability of short and long-term climatic changes.  Time series observations are vital to improve the understanding of ocean dynamics and its variability.  The existing systems for collecting the ocean related information are remote sensing, ships of opportunity and moored / drifting / profiling platforms.  Among these the moored buoys play an important role in providing long-term, time series, surface / subsurface observations at a location. Considering the importance of ocean observations to the country like India having a long coastline of about 7500 km and a vast oceanic area of 2.02 million sq. km of EEZ available for exploitation, Department of Ocean Development, Government of India has established the National Data Buoy Programme (NDBP) in 1997 at National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Chennai.  A network of twelve data buoys has been established both in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal during the implementation period of 1997‑2002, which has subsequently been increased to twenty five and poised for further growth.
Objectives of the Programme
Establishment and maintenance of buoy network in Indian seas. Real-time collection of met-ocean parameters in Indian seas. Dissemination of data in real time to INCOIS. Processing and analysis of data for applications. Establishment and maintenance of Tsunami warning system in Indian EEZ and data dissemination to INCOIS
Data Buoy Features:
The moored data buoys are floating platforms, which carry sensors to measure Wind Speed & Direction, Atmospheric Pressure, Air Temperature, Humidity, Conductivity, Sea Surface Temperature, Current Speed & Direction and Wave Parameters. The buoys are equipped with global positioning system, beacon light & satellite transceiver.  They have solar panels to charge the battery pack during daytime. Few buoys are designed to carry additional sensors to measure water quality parameters and subsurface temperature.
Characteristics
Can carry a suit of meteorological and oceanographic sensors. Operable from 20 m water depth to full ocean depth. 20 w x 4 no. of solar panels ensure constant recharging of the batteries.
Sensor Fit
Air Temperature Air Pressure Humidity Wind ,Wave Surface Currents Water Temp Conductivity
Buoy Sensor Specifications
Sensor Range Accuracy Resolution Duration / Freq. Air pressure 800 – 1100 hPa ± 0.1 hPa 0.01 hPa 5 sec,   1 Hz Air temperature 10 – 50oC ± 0.1oC 0.01oC 10 min,   1 Hz Wind* (spd, dir) 0 – 60 ms-1, 0 – 360o ± 1.5% FS, ± 3.6o 0.07 ms-1, 0.1o 10 min,   1 Hz Water Temp** -5 – 45oC ± 0.1oC 0.01oC 10 min,   1 Hz Conductivity** 2 – 77 m mho cm-1 ± 0.06 mmho cm-1 0.01 m mho cm-1 10 min,   1 Hz Surf. Cur.** (spd, dir) 0 – 6 ms-1, 0 – 360o ± 3% FS, ± 2o 0.005 ms-1, 0.36o 10 min,   1 Hz Wave** (full spectrum) ± 20m, 0 – 360o ± 10 cm, ± 5o 1 cm,  < 0.1o 17 min,   1 Hz Humidity & Air Temp.* Humidity 0:100% Air Temp:-40 to + 60c Humidity± 1%RH Air Temp.. ±3 oC - 10 min,   1 Hz Sensor at 3 m above the sea surface **  Sensor at 3 m depth below the sea surface
Application of the programme:
Weather Prediction / Early Cyclone Warning: The real time information on the marine environment is required for the early detection of the hazardous cyclone before it strikes the coast. The time series observations from a close network of data buoys provide valuable information to IMD regarding the cyclone formation, its intensification, movement and associated response of the ocean.     Ocean State Model Calibration:  The ocean-state forecasting models at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) are getting calibrated with the data from the buoys. The results from models provide information in advance for safe sailing notifications that bring large savings of fuel from effective ship operation.   Climate Research: The systematic long-term information from data buoys have greatly improved our understanding of the Indian Ocean especially during the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea Monsoon Experiments (BOBMEX & ARMEX) organized under the Indian Climate Research Programme (ICRP) of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Satellite Data Validation: Buoy data are used as a reference point to validate satellite data to ensure the accuracy & reliability before operational use. Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad have exclusively used buoy data as ground truth as well as for satellite data validation. Buoy data have been extensively used to validate OCEANSAT (MSMR), TRMM, ENVISAT and TOPEX data.
Port Development / Navigational Use: The current and wave data obtained from the buoys are highly useful in understanding the erosion issues and sediment transport to tackle siltation problems.    Data & data products are being provided to many ports regularly for their navigational and operational activities.  Also data from these buoys are being used in real-time Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) by some Ports.
Engineering / offshore project:  Long term Insitu extreme wind, wave and current data from moored buoys play an important role in design criteria for offshore oil and gas platforms.  NIOT supplies buoy data to offshore industries regularly.
Safety of Life at Sea:  The rescue operations require detailed surface met and ocean parameters especially real time wind, current and wave information prevailing at the site. The real-time buoy data facilitates Coast Guard to carry out search and rescue operations during bad weather and utilize the same for safe berthing and navigation.
Other Important Uses:  Buoy data are useful in applications in coastal & marine environment monitoring, in identifying the potential fishing zones, tourism around beaches, to understand Indian Seas, and much more.
Highlights of NDBP programme
Significant Events
Inauguration of NDBP facilities
NDBP started functioning from the new building at NIOT campus in September 2003. The new facilities created for NDBP in NIOT was inaugurated by Shri. R.R. Shah, Secretary, Planning Commission, Government of India on 3rd March 2004 in the august presence of Dr. Mashelkar, DG – CSIR, Secretary, Government of India and Dr. Harsh K. Gupta, Secretary, Department of Ocean Development.
Inauguration of facilities by Shri. R.R Shah
Hon. Minister Shri Kapil Sibal visits NDBP Facilities
During Shri. Kapil Sibal, Honourable Minister of State for Science and Technology and Dept.of Ocean Development (Independent Charge) visit to NIOT on 21st June 2004, NDBP demonstrated its achievements and indigenous development of data buoy.
Ministry of Earth Sciences (Department of Ocean Development) Foundation Day
As part of the celebrations of foundation day of Dept. of Ocean Development  on 27th July 2004, President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam unveiled the indigenous data buoy at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.