The objective of this programme is to undertake design and development of marine instrumentation and systems relevant for generating critical information for supporting exploration and resource harvesting activities. An Inter-Departmental Steering Group on Ocean Instruments and Systems constituted in March 1990 has identified acoustic equipment for fish detection, data buoys, underwater sonar systems for development.

As a result of research and development work on marine instruments initiated earlier, the development of the following instruments was completed during the year:

6.1. Vector-Averaging Recording Current Meter (VARCM)

The vector-averaging recording current meter (VARCM) has been indigenously developed under a project funded by the Department at the National Institute of Oceanography using state-of-art technology. The current meter incorporates certain novelties i.e., a technique for power saving and conservation of memory space, enhancement of sensitivity and temporal resolution of flow speed measurement, and also a technique to investigate the nature of motion of the flow sensing element under oscillatory flow conditions.

6.1.2. Free fall recording bathythermograph

The project for the development of free fall recording bathythermograph has been an important step in the effort to indigenously provide high quality instrumentation to oceanographers. The design, development and fabrication of the instrument was completed. Advanced software technique for data collection, post processing of data on PC and user interaction with PC and instrument were also undertaken. Laboratory calibration of the instrument was completed and field tests and sea trials are underway.

6.1.3. Development of microprocessor based instrumentation for ocean parameter studies

The project for the development of microprocessor based instrumentation for ocean parameter studies funded by the Department and initiated at the Western Regional Instrumentation Centre, Bombay, University of Bombay, was completed. Testing and development of a portable instrument for monitoring of standard ocean parameters such as turbidity, salinity , dissolved oxygen, depth and water temperature, etc. have been completed. The instrument hardware has been designed for operation in underwater environment. Field trials are awaited.