The first smart buoy in the Arabian Gulf was launched by the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) at King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail. This is part of a national plan to install 35 smart buoys in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf this year, which will help monitor marine and coastal environments.
Where is the Smart Buoy?
The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) has set up the first smart buoy at King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail. This buoy helps track the health of the water. It is part of a larger plan to install 35 smart buoys across the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf by the end of 2025.
Progress of Deployment
Anwar Alnahdi, who oversees monitoring operations at NCEC, said that they are moving quickly to set up these buoys. The first buoy was placed in the Red Sea near Jeddah Islamic Port. After that, more were added in Yanbu and Jizan. Now, they are reaching the Arabian Gulf.
The buoy is capable of collecting information 24/7. It sends data from both the eastern and western coasts of Saudi Arabia to important ports. This data will help protect the environment and improve decision making about marine issues.
What Can the Buoys Measure?
These buoys run on solar power and have sensors that measure:-
- Water temperature
- Salt levels
- Oxygen levels
- Dissolved solids
- Specific chemicals
They also send data wirelessly, which helps detect pollution quickly so that action can be taken.
Keeping Our Waters Safe
Alnahdi mentioned that with many ships traveling through the waters and ongoing port developments, there is a risk of pollution. The smart buoys will help spot problems early to keep our oceans clean and safe.
