Development and Performance Validation of a Cylindrical Buoy for Deep-Ocean Tsunami Monitoring

This paper describes the development and performance validation of a cylindrical surface buoy (CSB) used for monitoring tsunamis in Indian seas. The buoy design with multiple compartments provides damage-tolerance curved top surface profile, the subsurface access ensures vandalism resistance, and the shape provides enough space for the power and control systems for an offshore endurance of two years. The scaled-down CSB is numerically modeled and experimentally validated for its stability in a wave basin. The validated numeric model is extended to a diameter of 2.4 m and the mooring loads are analyzed. The field scale prototype CSB is deployed in the open ocean, where the water depth is 2500 m. The performance of the CSB is validated from one year of failure-free performance and capability to remain within the watch circle under all environmental conditions, and it has detected the water level change events during the operational period.