The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is set to deploy weather Data Buoy on the Atlantic Ocean soon.
The real time data generated by the buoy which are expected to be installed before early August will go a long way to enhance better data base, more accurate marine meteorological forecast, timely warning among other things.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is set to deploy weather Data Buoy on the Atlantic Ocean soon.
The real time data generated by the buoy which are expected to be installed before early August will go a long way to enhance better data base, more accurate marine meteorological forecast, timely warning among other things.
Confirming the good news via a statement issued in Lagos last weekend; the General Manager Public Affairs in NPA; Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu, added that it is in response to the Global temperature which is set to increase by few degrees resulting in the weather becoming much more extreme in many places with more storms and changed river discharges.
“The sea level will also rise faster than the preceding centuries. These changes will have a severe impact on the natural processes in the affected environment.
Consequently, improving weather data gathering for more accurate weather forecast is becoming more important especially in this era of climate change and its apparent and envisaged attendant consequences.
The weather Buoy is a floating object that will be heavily anchored to the sea bottom so that it will remain in place”.
Its design and build is intended to provide a platform on which weather gathering equipment will be installed to gather, store and convey weather data for forecast processing.
Speaking more specifically, the NPA image maker confirmed that “the buoy which will be expected to arrive Nigeria within the next two weeks, will be deployed at Lat. 06º 22’ 43” N and long 003º 28’ 39” W, this position is 3.5 nautical miles from the coastline, 4.8 nautical miles from Lagos harbour entrance and 3.8 nautical miles from fairway buoy.”
According to him, among other things, it will host Meteorological sensor, Physical sensors Biochemical sensors, Central Processing Unit(CPU) and Storage, Telemetry, etc. The meteorological sensor will measure all relevant meteorological parameters such as: wind speed, direction & gust, air temperature, sea surface temperature, water current, air pressure, RH, wave height, wave speed etc.
It is pertinent to note that the special interest of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to collaborate in this laudable project is borne out of the provisions of International Convention of Safety of Life and sea (SOLAS) chapter V, regulations 5 which states that contracting governments undertake to encourage the collection of metrological data by ships at sea and to arrange for their examination, dissemination and exchange in a manner most suitable for the purpose of aiding navigation.
The weather buoy will be given an exclusive safety zone of 500 meters radius to protect it from vessels exercising their rights of innocent passage ,both pursuant to UNCLOS articles 60 (5) and 17/18 respectively
He stated further that the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Malam HabibAbdullahi has severally reiterated the commitment of the Organisation to strengthen Marine services and this upcoming development will further consolidate our resolve to guarantee safe navigation of vessels and efficient port operations.
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