Port Blair, Aug. 11: INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services) has developed a Ocean Forecasting System exclusively for Island territories of Indian Union-Andaman and Nicobar and Laccadives. The System will give an early warning about the High waves during the cyclone period, catastrophic Swell wave and other ocean parameters 7 days in advance at three hourly intervals. The system was inaugurated by Shri. Vivek Rae, Chief Secretary, Andaman Nicobar, Administration on 6th August 2010 at Port Blair in presence of Dr. Satish Shenoi, Director INCOIS and Dr. Balakrishnan Nair, Head, ISG, INCOIS. The forecast will be available through INCOIS website and Digital display boards installed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

 

INCOIS is the nodal agency under Ministry of Earth science which provides the vital information on sea state (wave, swell and wind) for safe navigation and operations for port, harbour and State Maritime Boards. Our Islands experience high waves during most of the seasons and are especially prone to the effect of swell waves coming from Southern Indian Ocean. Since Bay of Bengal is dominated by tropical cyclones and depressions, timely information on waves/swell during these episodic events are essential for wide spectrum of users along the coasts of A & N. Forecasting of waves in this region was challenging because of the complicated shoreline (numerous islands) and bathymetry unlike that for the (remotely generated high energy waves) obtained through ocean modeling and observations is useful for A & N Port Administration for regulating ships, barges and other vessel movements. INCOIS is now providing seven day forecast (at three hourly intervals) on wave/swell mainly for the fishing community, Andaman Port Administration, Coast Guard and Navy in the A & N Islands. 

 

INCOIS is working with Andaman Nicobar Port Administration for demarcating the Inland Vessel Limits (IVL) so as to improve the safety of vessels and onboard personnel. IVL can be defined as the navigational demarcation line which divides the high seas from tidal rivers/estuaries/ports. The demarcation is done on the basis of Significant Wave Heights (SHW) and the categorization of regions are (1) region where SWH less than 0.6m, (2) region where SWH is between 0.6 to 1.2m, (3) region where SWH is between 1.2 and 2m. The wave/swell information will help Port Administration to demarcate the IVL for many Port Locations such as Macpherson Strait Macpherson (Strait Jolly Buoy, Rutland, Chidyatapu, Tarmngli, Redskin, Grub Islands, Wandoor) Macpherson Strait (Red Skin, Alexandria, Malay and Hobday Islands), Elphinstone Harbour, Car Nicobar, Hut Bay and Campbell Bay. 

 

In addition to this, INCOIS intends to launch a real time wave/swell monitoring system for A & N Islands by deploying wave rider buoy off Port Blair. This system will help fishermen and vessels venturing into the sea. Further, a real time validation of the forecast waves will also be achieved by this system.