The Bahrain Tidal Network (BTN), an advanced sea-level monitoring system that has been helping ships and boats safely navigate the kingdom’s waters for more than 15 years, is set to be overhauled.
The Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) is set to review tenders this week to upgrade and expand the BTN’s existing network of 12 radar-based stations.
“The existing network of 12 radar-based stations will be dismantled and replaced due to ageing equipment and harsh marine conditions,” the SLRB explained in the tender documents, available on the Bahrain Tender Board website.
The project will involve installing at least 15 modern, non-contact tide gauge stations across existing and new coastal sites.
While radar is preferred, the SLRB will also be exploring ultrasonic and laser options.
Tide gauge stations measure changes in sea level over time, using sensors like acoustic devices, pressure transducers or radars.
They help with safe ship navigation, coastal building and tracking sea level rise.
BTN, managed by the SLRB’s Hydrographic Survey Directorate, was initially unveiled in 2010, starting with Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Mina Salman Port and Amwaj Islands.
Prior to this, tides were measured through individual tide gauges at different ports, but BTN integrated 12 measuring stations to provide more accurate tidal information and forecasts for seafarers. BTN now covers marine territorial waters all over the kingdom.
High and low tides measuring devices have been connected to the Internet through remote direct wireless transmission.
When it was launched, the Bahrain Tidal Network was the first of its type in the GCC.
It monitors tides, the movement of marine currents and charts their directions, speed and scale in the kingdom’s territorial waters.
As of the latest available data from the SLRB, Bahrain has 7,481.21 square kilometres of territorial waters, the sea levels of which are monitored using the stations.
The BTN also provides marine data necessary for major construction projects, especially those along sea shores.
According to the SLRB, the stations along Bahrain’s coast are solar-powered, using a laser to measure sea level every 10 minutes.
The tracking data is compiled annually to generate an official Tide Tables book, which is essential for maritime transport, coastal development and search-and-rescue operations.
“Data is processed and analysed annually using specific algorithms to provide a sea level forecast for the following year,” the SLRB noted, on its website.
“Tidal tables are then made available for purchase to assist seafarers in accurately determining sea levels.”
In the upgraded network, each of the 15 stations will feature autonomous power, data logging and advanced communication systems, integrated with the SLRB web portal for real-time monitoring.
The system will support scalability, alarms, third-party sensors and secure data management.
The contractor selected for the project will be required to handle installation, calibration, testing, documentation and optional maintenance services.
The project aims to have a new monitoring network in place to support Bahrain’s maritime safety framework.
The tender for the project was initially published last month and closed yesterday.
The contract will run for two years.
Submissions for the supply, installation, commissioning and integration of the modern tide gauge monitoring system will be reviewed starting today.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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