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What is a TRITON buoy?
The TRITON buoy is an oceanographic
observation buoy that will be deployed in the tropical regions
by JAMSTEC, with the cooperation of the US, France, Korea, Taiwan,
Indonesia, and countries in the South Pacific. The purpose of
this study is to check the effects of warm water in the equatorial
regions on the world's weather conditions.
Where
will the TRITON buoys be deployed?
JAMSTEC plans to deploy 20 buoys; 18
in the tropic regions and 2 in the middle latitude regions in
the North Pacific. Beginning March 1998, four buoys will be set
in place at 8°N, 5°N, 2°N, and 0°N latitude at 156°E
longitude. We will then begin replacing existing US buoys in
area A with TRITON buoys.
TRITON buoys are moored.
The TRITON buoys are tied to a weight
at the sea bottom with a strong cable. The strong tension exerted
on the wire makes lifting a buoy quite dangerous; such action
should not be attempted.
What
do the TRITON buoys observe?
The TRITON buoys observe wind, atmospheric
temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunshine, seawater temperature,
salinity, and current. Water temperature and salinity will be
recorded at regular intervals up to a 750 m depth.
The recorded data and the position of the buoy will be sent daily
to researchers around the world through satellites for research
on El Nino.
The
TRITON will also be useful for weather forecasts.
In the tropics, information concerning
the weather is sparse, due to the rarity of institutes and ships
that make regular weather observations in the area.
The data collected and transmitted by the TRITON will facilitate
weather forecasts, such as typhoon forecasts, and will significantly
increase precision. This in turn will contribute greatly to safe
navigation.
The TRITON will also
benefit the fishing industry.
Seawater temperature is important for
predicting fish distribution.
The TRITON buoys will transmit this data daily to meteorological
institutes throughout the world.
From this data, institutes will create a seawater temperature
distribution map, which may be obtained by Fax. They will be
available even to ships already out at sea.
A
notice to navigating ships and fishing vessels.
- Please watch for buoys when navigating
or fishing in areas near the buoys.
- Please do not approach or tow the
buoys.
- Buoys are equipped with radar reflectors
for prominence on radar screens, to provide early warning for
navigation around them .
- The buoys are connected to the seafloor
with cables. Please avoid fishing near the buoys.
- Please do not damage buoys or cut
buoy cables, even if fishing gear becomes tangle with the cables.
- If you notice anything abnormal about
the buoys, please contact JAMSTEC at the address below.
- Please contact us if you need further
information concerning the buoys.
- Address and telephone & fax numbers
JAMSTEC, Marine Technology Center(MARITEC), Research Support Department, TRITON manager
Natsushima-cho 2-15 Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 237
DIR: +81-468-67-3936 FAX:+81-468-67-3947
e-mail : triton@jamstec.go.jp
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