National Institute of Ocean Technology strengthens ocean observation network with successful scientific cruise

CHENNAI, June 22, 2026 — A scientific team from the Ocean Health Group under the Ministry of Earth Sciences National Institute of Ocean Technology completed an extensive scientific cruise to strengthen India’s ocean observation infrastructure.

Comprising members from the Ocean Buoy Network and Underwater Acoustics teams, the crew traveled approximately 2,925 nautical miles onboard the oceanographic research vessel Sindhu Sadhana between May 11 and June 15, 2026.

The mission focused on the maintenance, restoration, and enhancement of the national network to support sustained monitoring, early warning systems, and advanced scientific research.The primary objective of the mission was to bolster India’s Ocean Observation Network, Tsunami Buoy Network, and Ambient Noise Measurement Systems through the targeted deployment, recovery, and servicing of critical monitoring infrastructure.

These vital national assets deliver real-time oceanographic, meteorological, tsunami, and underwater acoustic data. The collected information directly supports operational ocean services, weather forecasting, climate research, maritime safety, and coastal hazard early-warning systems, while enabling long-term monitoring of ambient noise and underwater acoustic propagation characteristics across the Indian Ocean region.

The scientific team achieved several key milestones during the cruise, including the successful deployment of nine moored data buoys and the recovery of 12 buoy systems in the Arabian Sea. Additionally, the team deployed two indigenously developed Ambient Noise Measurement Systems, placing a shallow-water system in the Bay of Bengal and a deep-sea subsurface system in the Arabian Sea.

The mission also successfully recovered a deep-sea ambient noise system that had been deployed for over two years as part of the Oceaned Moored Buoy Network for Northern Indian Ocean data buoy mooring.