MODIFICATIONS AND REINFORCEMENT IN VALEPORT BOTTOM MOORING FRAME FOR TIDE GAUGE DEPLOYMENT

Tide is an important oceanographic phenomenon and has significant influence in global scale. Tides enhance the fish productivity which is of economical importance. Also, the tide generated current is commercially significant for navigation. One of the important oceanographic an instrument is tide-gauge, that measure and records tide parameters. It is deployed to the seabed either in a semi-spherical plastic dome or in a metal mooring frame. The existing pre-deployment technique involves usage of heavy chains and synthetic ropes, which is tedious and time consuming process. In this paper, we present low-cost, portable and robust modifications in existing ValePort mooring frame which is used for tide gauge deployment. The redesigned frame can be readily assembled /dissembled during and after its use. Further it offers easy maintenance and servicing, and can be use over a longer period.