ITS Donates Underwater GPS to Klungkung Regency, Bali
“This equipment will greatly assist in preserving the marine environment, as our region consists of islands.”
Denpasar (ANTARA) — The Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya has donated software in the form of underwater mapping (GPS) instruments to the Klungkung Regency Government in Bali, to help safeguard the coral reefs of Nusa Penida Island.
“Shipping safety and maritime industry security not only affect human safety, but also influence the marine environment, the economy, fishermen and maritime-based industries,” said ITS Rector Professor Bambang Pramujati on the sidelines of the Maritime Safety International Conference (Mastic) in Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, on Friday.
The automatic identification system (AIS) software was handed over by the Dean of the Faculty of Marine Technology, Setyo Nugroho, to the Regent of Klungkung, I Made Satria.
The Klungkung Regent considered the technology grant a contribution from academia in support of marine ecosystem conservation and regional development.
Meanwhile, ITS Ship Systems Engineering lecturer Professor Dr Ketut Buda Artana explained that the equipment could be used as an instrument for monitoring vessel safety, protecting coral reefs and the marine environment, as well as safeguarding installations at sea.
The software, he added, could also measure carbon emissions, which is important for environmental protection.
He hoped the equipment could also serve as a vehicle for AIS data-based research collaboration.
The waters of Nusa Penida are home to coral, mola-mola fish, manta rays and stingrays that are vulnerable to marine pollution.
These waters are frequently traversed by many vessels, both local and international, for fishery as well as tourism purposes.
In addition to the Klungkung Regency Government, similar grants were given to Pattimura University, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University and Borneo Tarakan University.
Meanwhile, Mastic is an international conference in the field of maritime safety initiated by the Ship Reliability and Safety Laboratory in cooperation with the Centre of Excellence for Ship and Offshore Installation Safety at ITS.
The conference also serves as a forum for discussion and dissemination of research findings in the maritime field, particularly technology that can support maritime safety and various strategies for protecting the environment.