ITS Donates Underwater GPS to Klungkung Regency, Bali

The Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya has granted underwater GPS mapping software to the Klungkung Regency Government in Bali to assist in preserving the coral reefs of Nusa Penida Island. ITS Rector Prof Bambang Pramujati stated that shipping safety and maritime industry security not only impact human safety but also affect the marine environment, economy, fishermen, and maritime-based industries. The automatic identification system (AIS) software was handed over by the Dean of the Faculty of Marine Technology, Setyo Nugroho, to Klungkung Regent I Made Satria. The regent assessed the technology grant as a contribution from academia in supporting marine ecosystem conservation and regional development. ITS lecturer Prof Dr Ketut Buda Artana explained that the equipment can be used as an instrument to supervise ship safety, protect coral reefs and the marine environment, and safeguard offshore installations. He added that the software can also measure carbon emissions, which is crucial for environmental protection, and he hopes it will serve as a platform for AIS data-based research collaboration. The waters of Nusa Penida are home to coral, sunfish, manta rays, and stingrays, which are vulnerable to marine pollution. These waters are frequently traversed by both local and international vessels for fishing and tourism purposes. In addition to the Klungkung Regency Government, similar grants were also awarded to Pattimura University, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University, and Borneo Tarakan University. The handover took place on the sidelines of the International Conference on Maritime Safety (Mastic), an event initiated by the Ship Reliability and Safety Laboratory in collaboration with the ITS Centre of Excellence for Ship and Offshore Installation Safety. The conference also serves as a forum for discussion and dissemination of maritime research results, particularly technologies that support maritime safety and various environmental protection strategies.