A study for improving the KORDI buoy system in comparison with TRITON buoys in the tropical Pacific Ocean

Abstract

This study documents KORDI's experience of successfully deploying a deep ocean buoy for monitoring oceanic and atmospheric variabilities in the tropical western Pacific Ocea nsince May 2010. The primary focus of this study was to compare TRITON (big and old type) with m-TRITON (smaller and new type) buoys within the JAMSTEC's buoy management system. The objective of operating a KORDI buoy is to ascertain oceanic variability in the tropical western Pacific. We adopted a slack-line mooring type to observe water temperatures at six layers from surface to 400 m depth. However, we could not acquire satisfactory results due to lack of expertise in buoy management system. A new KORDI buoy has been developing, which has been modified from both buoys, and ARGOS-3 satellite system and a slack-type mooring line.