NARA, Navy recover missing float device containing data on Sri Lankan waters

A buoy which went missing after being deployed to obtain valuable data on the ocean surrounding Sri Lanka was recovered after four years today (Mar 31).

The floating device was recovered during a joint search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and the National Hydrography Office of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).

The buoy was gifted by the US Naval Oceanographic Office to Sri Lanka in order to obtain data regarding the ocean waters surrounding the island. Accordingly, the device was released to the seas off Batticaloa following which it was reported to have gone missing.

However, the US Naval Oceanographic Office had appreciated NARA's efforts in recovering the buoy which was brought to Galle and then transported to Trincomalee on the 'Samudrika' Fisheries Patrol Vessel.

The device is expected to assist in uncovering information related to sea temperature and the behavioural patterns of fish. This information would help in the fisheries industry.

Meanwhile, the team of NARA officials who were involved in recovering the floating device, said that the buoy had accumulated and stored data for the last four years during which it had gone missing. The team of officials also noted that the buoy was an exclusive device belonging to NARA.

(Captured below are photographs of the buoy and the team of officials recovering the device)