Considering the National Guidelines (GBHN) 1993 which has put marine sector in development activity in economy field, Indonesia human resources and technology development on marine field have to be prepared. BPPT as an agency for the assessment and application of technology has started to prepare the development by doing some projects in marine sectors such as Baruna Jaya Research Vessel Project and SEAWATCH lndonesia Project.

SEAWATCH Indonesia Project is a national project of government of Republic of Indonesia in co-operation with the government of Norway on science and technology. The first phase of this project has been done for 3 (three) years from March 1996 until March 1999. The objectives of this project are to develop a real time and continuously databases of marine environmental to serve fisheries, sea transportation, hydro-oceanography, meteorological services and others.

The possibilities of SEAWATCH Indonesia Project was first introduced to the Minister of Research and Technology of Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta on November 1991 by the Minister of Oil and Gas of Norway. This project largely financed by Norwegian public funds. The background of this project is based on the big resources and potencies of Indonesia as a maritime continent with more than 17,000 islands with total area estimated at 7.8 million km square, consisting mostly of marine (74.3%). Being the maritime continent it would be important to Indonesia to develop its own technology platform to form a part of the ocean observing system to be installed throughout the world, in the future. Areas of special Indonesian concern could be the development of applications, such as how to utilize the data flow for various purposes in a most efficient way.

The SEAWATCH system consist of:

• Sensors carrying buoys with real time data transmission system
• Data analysis, data presentation and forecasting system
• Data distribution system

The first part is mainly based on the oceanographic data collection buoy, equipped to collect the following parameters: air pressure, air temperature, wind speed and direction, waves, sea current, vertical sea temperature and salinity profile, oxygen saturation, particle or algae concentration and radioactivity. The collected data are internally processed and checked and hence transmitted to shore by use of satellite  communication, enabling near real time data evaluation. The second part is data quality control, analysis and forecasting parts. The large amounts of data to be collected need very careful data checking and storage systems. Operational model for forecasting of marine environmental parameters are also parts of this, include hydrodynamics model, pollution transport model, etc. The third part is computer based information system for distribution of relevant information/data to interested parties. By using an ordinary PC equipped with necessary software, various users can achieve the required data or relevant information in very easy and user friendly way.

The project for the first phase only covering the are around the Malaka Straits and Java Sea. It is planned to extend the location to the eastern part of Indonesia (Makassar Straits, Lombok Straits, etc.) in the next phase of the project.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SEAWATCH INDONESIA PROJECT

Short Term:

(a) Construction and mooring of observation buoys

• Build and construct buoys, equipped with sensors and select the locations of mooring.

(b) Acquisition, transmission, processing, distribution and utilization of collected data

• Develop system for collecting, transmitting, storing and processing the data.
• Establish and develop a database and networking for the purposes of the field of fisheries, meteorology, sea transport, hydro-oceanography, environmental impact, research activities and other users.

(c) Conduct study on the possibility of developing marine sensors for tropical condition as well as the transmitting system.

(d) Evaluate the project for future references.

Long Term:

(a) Provide data that contribute to the national programs for preserving and restoring the marine environment and the marine living resources, supporting a continued sustainable development, increasing productivity, enhancing social welfare and provide employment.

(b) Provide data for analysis of upwelling, monsoonal currents and Indonesia throughflow, El-Nino, safety of life and navigation at sea, early warning system of natural phenomenon including possible marine hazards of disaster (tsunami, harmful algae blooms, etc.).

(c) Increase technological capability in marine production sector.

SEAWATCH INDONESIA ORGANIZATION

In the organization above, there are Steering Committee and Technical Committee which are represented by people from some institutions involved in the project. Steering Committee's duty is directing the project activities, and the Technical Committee's duty is doing technical activities regarding research and system development together with the SEAWATCH members from BPPT.

Operational part of SEAWATCH Project consists of four technical affairs as follows:

• Buoy Operation and Maintenance team, responsible for deployment and maintenance of buoys and sensors.

• Data Management team, responsible for data quality control, data management, networking, data securities, data distribution, back-up etc.

• Monitoring, Forecasting and Modeling, responsible for data quality control, classification and processing.

• Human Resources Development team, responsible for training, scholarship, recruitment, etc.