Globally all countries, including India, are facing the vandalism by some unidentified elements on the ocean observing systems and possible steps are being discussed even at the level of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the Minister of State for Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Ashwani Kumar stated in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
The Minister further stated that despite the above, Government is making all efforts to maintain sufficient redundancies to ensure the sustenance of the critical ocean observing systems over the north Indian Ocean so that the tsunami warning capability is not compromised at all. Similarly efforts are made through
(i) raising awareness to Indian fishermen by distribution of pamphlets and conducting workshops
(ii) buoy identification through World Meteorological Organization(WMO) identification code
(iii) fitting buoys with beacon lights as per international standard IALA code (iv) fitting radar reflector as per standard
(v) making the buoy surface slippery and protective hood to avoid tie-up by boats
(vi) making suitable structural changes so as to make difficult to remove fixtures / fasteners, etc.
(vii) notifying the buoy locations through Mariners notice sent to National Hydrographic Organization (NHO) to other neibouring naval watch area commanders
