September 25, 2007

U.S. Ambassador and BPPT Launch Buoy to Provide Tsunami 
Early-Warning Detection, Monitor Climate Change  

Bahasa Indonesia

September 19, 2007 -- Ambassador Cameron R. Hume and senior U.S. and Indonesian officials jointly launched a U.S-built Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) II buoy as part of a tsunami detection network to be deployed in the Indian Ocean.  The DART II buoy -- also known as a “tsunameter” -- valued at $440,000 USD, is being deployed in partnership with the government of Indonesia and is part of a system of 22 deep-ocean buoys planned for deployment in the Indian Ocean 

“The launch of this state-of-the art detection buoy demonstrates our two countries’ high level of commitment to a regional tsunami warning system.  Once deployed, this “tsunameter” will provide real-time tsunami detection data which can be freely shared by all countries to use as part of their detection and early-warning systems, and potentially help save Indonesian lives in the event of a tsunami,” said Ambassador Hume.  

The DART buoy will be jointly operated and maintained by the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Indonesian Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), part of the Ministry of Science and Technology.   

Other officials attending the launch included Minister of Research and Technology Dr. Kasmuyanto Kadiman, Chairman Said Jenie of BPP, NOAA Assistant Administrator Richard W. Spinrad and other representatives from Indonesia, the U.S., and international organizations.  

NOAA is the U.S. government agency that specializes in monitoring the condition of the atmosphere and oceans.

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