ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in the Port of Pramuka

1. Where is Pramuka port?

The Pramuka port is situated in Indonesia. It is a significant local and regional maritime hub.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port is of a relatively moderate scale. It handles a variety of cargo, including fishing products, since it serves the local fishing industry. It also handles general cargo, such as construction materials and supplies for the nearby communities. The throughput is influenced by the fishing seasons and local trade activities.

Routes and Business

Pramuka port is connected with other local ports, having routes that support the transport of goods internally within the region. The main business activities involve the export of local fishery resources and the import of essential goods for the local population and industries. Shipping routes have been important in terms of economic well-being for the area and the fishing community.

Port Management and Operation

The port management ensures that operations run smoothly. The port authority is responsible for the berthing of vessels, handling cargo, and its storage. They try to maximize the utilization of available resources and facilities to facilitate the smooth flow of goods. The infrastructures in the port are regularly maintained for safety and functionality.

Port Facilities

It is equipped with facilities suitable for its operations. The berthing facilities include berths for fishing boats and small- to medium-sized cargo vessels. The port has facilities for loading and unloading, such as cranes and forklifts, to handle the cargo. Adequate storage areas are provided for different types of goods, including cold storage for perishable fishery products. There are also basic ship repair and maintenance facilities.

Channels and Direct Routes

The channels in Pramuka port are maintained to ensure the safe navigation of vessels. They are regularly dredged to maintain the appropriate depth. The direct routes connect the port to other important local ports, enabling the transportation of goods and facilitating economic exchanges.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Pramuka port?

It is, therefore, very necessary to measure ocean currents in the Pramuka port for several reasons: first, regarding the safety of fishing vessels, among other small ships. Local fishermen depend on current information to plan their fishing trips and ensure a safe return to the port. Unfavorable currents can pose a great risk to the vessels.

Secondly, for the efficient operation of the port. Understanding the current patterns helps in optimizing the docking and undocking of vessels. It can reduce the time and effort required for these operations and improve the overall efficiency of the port.

Also, knowledge of ocean currents brings useful information on sediment transport and the water quality of the port area for studies in dredging operations as well as the health concerns of the marine ecosystem. Measurement made possible with an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is more enhanced and much easier than measurements acquired in previous ways.

3. How do the Doppler Principle ADCPs Work?

ADCPs work on the basis of the Doppler effect. They transmit acoustic signals into the water. The signals scatter against particles in the water which are in motion along with the current. Consequently, the frequency of the returning signals shifts due to the Doppler effect.

Ship-borne ADCP

The ADCP current meter is installed on a vessel, such as a fishing boat or a small cargo ship, when used in the Pramuka port. When the ship moves through the water, the ADCP current profiler emits acoustic pulses, generally in a downward-looking or side-looking direction. The reflected signals from the water column are received and analyzed. These signals will include a Doppler shift that depends on the current velocity at various depth. The details of this velocity change as the ship travels in a given direction provides a current profile.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are mountable on small structures such as piers or small buoys in the port of Pramuka. Transducers project with acoustic signals that have specific orientations, usually toward the direction of the ground. From these, received echoes take the Doppler shift. By continuously processing these signals, the fixed ADCP can provide a long-term record of the current velocity and direction at a specific location. This is useful for monitoring the current conditions near the port entrance or around critical infrastructure.

4. What's needed for high-quality measurement of Pramuka port currents?

Reliability in material will be needed for high-quality current measurement in Pramuka Port. A compact, lightweight design would be highly desirable since the port is of relatively smaller size and vessels operating in this area. It makes installation and deployment very easy, especially in small fishing boats or other vessels on a small scale.

Low power consumption is another important issue. For fixed -point measurement, it means the instrument can run continuously without frequent battery replacement or even power source maintenance. Cost - effectiveness is also essential, given the economic scale of the port and the number of measuring devices needed.

The casing of ADCP flow meter shall be made by titanium alloy. The corrosion resistance of a titanium alloy is excellent, which plays a vital role in the marine environment. Seawater at a port can cause very important corrosion to other materials. Its resistance to corrosion will make sure that this long does not happen and thus protects the equipment for a long duration. It also possesses a high strength-to-weight ratio, which helps reduce the overall weight of the device while maintaining its structural integrity.

5. How to Choose the Right Equipment for Current Measurement?

Based on Usage

Ship-borne ADCP: This will be applicable in a situation whereby currents are to be measured when a vessel is in motion. This, in the context of Pramuka port, is useful for small fishing boats and small cargo boats for current measurement along their route. The instrument provides a profile of currents, which helps in navigation and operational decision-making.

Sitting-on-bottom ADCP: Excellent for long-term and fixed-point monitoring of currents near the seabed. In the port, it can be used for current behavior monitoring at certain locations like those in the proximity of berths or in areas with important sub-aquatic structures.

Buoy-based ADCP: If the goal is to monitor currents over long periods of time in an area, and there is some flexibility in location, a buoy-based ADCP will suffice. In Pramuka port, this could be positioned in areas that ships may not regularly pass through but are important for overall current patterns.

Based on Frequency

For waters up to 70m deep, an ADCP with a frequency of 600kHz is usually appropriate. In cases of about 110m, a 300kHz frequency would be more suitable. For very deep waters of up to 1000m, a 75kHz ADCP will be the better option.

There are well-known ADCP profiler brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, a recommended Chinese brand is China Sonar PandaADCP. It is made of all-titanium alloy material, providing excellent durability. It also offers an incredible cost-performance ratio. You can find more information about this brand on its website: (https://china-sonar.com/).

Here is a table with some well known ADCP instrument brands and models.