March 28, 2000
Japan Marine Science and Technology Center

Stop of telecommunication from the position transmitter TRITON buoy at No.13 site

Situation @

The TRITON buoy at No.13 site (deployed by Japan Marine Science and Technology Center at 0 N. and 138 E in October 25, 1999) has not transmitted any data, since the MUTSU branch at SEKINEHAMA received them on the 8th of December in 1999. (This trouble was announced on the 10th of December in 1999.) An Indonesian vessel checked the buoy system and installed a new position transmitter in the field on the 20th of January in 2000. (This was announced on the 24th of January in 2000.) The MUTSU branch at SEKINEHAMA confirmed the stop of the telecommunication on the 25th of March in 2000.

In addition, TRITON buoy at No.5 site (deployed at 2 S and 156 E on March 6, 2000) has decreased its telecommunication level with the partial default of received data since the 22nd of March in 2000. This trouble is now under investigation for any possible cause.

Possible Causes

Any failure or intentional destruction in the telecommunication systems (including the antennas, cables and transmitters) may be considered as the possible cause for these troubles. However, the detailed information has not been provided, because the accident scenes are remote.

Future Schedules

The No.13 buoy is located in the Indonesian exclusive economic zone, and we have already asked the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) as our partner in the cooperative research to check the accident scenes from a vessel.

The Center is now making examinations on the effective preventives against the reoccurrence of such a trouble (intentional destruction) on TRITON buoys.
(All the times and dates are in Japanese time.)

Contact : Kuroda, Research Support Coordination Division,
Research Support Department,
Japan Marine Science and Technology Center,
Tel: 0468-67-3936
Taya, Kobayashi or Kimura, Public Relations, Training and Education Division,
Administration Department, Tel: 0468-67-3806