Bt12m tsunami-warning buoy installed off Phuket coast

[webfact]

Bt12m tsunami-warning buoy installed off Phuket coast

By The Nation

 

 

A tsunami-warning buoy worth Bt12 million will be installed off the coast of Phuket, to replace the one that had been broken two years ago, disaster officials said on Wednesday.

 

The buoy, which is on board the MV SEAFDEC that departed Phuket on Wednesday afternoon, will be installed 290 kilometres off the Phuket coast.

 

This buoy will replace the one that stopped transmitting signals after a passing ship crashed into it, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chayapol Thitisak said before the MV SEAFDEC was sent on its mission.

 

 

Thailand has two tsunami-warning buoys, one located 290km northwest to Phuket coast and another located 190km away, he said.

 

Once both buoys are operational, along with the international network of tsunami-warning systems in the Indian and Pacific oceans, Thailand will be able to get tsunami warnings well in time, he added. 

 

Chayapol said this expensive buoy will be protected from accidents by bright signs and will be marked in all shipping route maps.

 

He emphasised that Thailand’s tsunami-warning system was of international standards. “We also have more than 2,000 disaster warning towers along the coast. These are sufficient,” he said.“[In case Thailand is hit by another tsunami] the public should follow warnings from government agencies and not panic.” 

 

The authorities learned that the previous buoy had stopped sending signals since October 2017, National Disaster Warning Centre director-general Suppapimit Paorik said.

 

After the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami devastated many countries, including Thailand, and killed as many as 230,000 people, the Thai authorities have been working to improve the Kingdom’s preparedness and relief measures, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30362396

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-17

[quadperfect]

That should give about a solid 10 minute warning.

Thats good.

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

to replace the one that had been broken two years ago, disaster officials said

disaster warning strategy: wait till it breaks , then wait another 2 years to replace; nice

[tompelli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

We also have more than 2,000 disaster warning towers along the coast. These are sufficient,” he said.

What exactly does a tsunami warning tower involve? A visual warning? Of how long?

[Old Croc]

54 minutes ago, tompelli said:

What exactly does a tsunami warning tower involve? A visual warning? Of how long?

I think they give an auditory warning (siren?) for beach goers who don't receive other warnings. 

I still think the most likely first warning will come from earthquake monitoring agencies soon after the event happens. It won't be ignored by closed minded Thai officials again. Everyone knows what a tsunami is these days and, if anything, likely to over react to perceived threats. 

Buoys will confirm a wave is coming.

[LivinginKata]

57 minutes ago, Arjen said:

When they are occupied, and the person who occupies it is watching constantly, yes. But I suppose it looks more like an average guard at a gold shop....

 

The tower(s) warning is triggered from some central monitoring office. The buoy would send telemetry by radio to that office. At least that's how I think it works.

[Wallander4]

Only broken 2 years - wow and they already replace it now ...

 

Usual incompetence or did the budget end up in someones pocket

[racket]

If it’s worth 12 million baht, there you go sea pirates.

[VocalNeal]

5 minutes ago, Wallander4 said:

did the budget end up in someones pocket

 

Not all of it. How long have you been here? (Rhetorical)

[oldrunner]

I'm told that no tsunami can occur in Pattaya. Having been told that by a Thai Real Estate salesperson, we purchased our home at the top of Thrapaya hill.