Tsunami warning light, siren installed at Tutukaka marina
A Northland marina that has suffered strong tsunami-related tidal movements in recent years now has its own tsunami siren and warning light.
Chidambaram Surendran, the Northland Regional Council’s Deputy Harbourmaster, says installation of the $4500 siren and warning light on the breakwater at the entrance to the Tutukaka marina is now complete and the system is operational.
Mr Surendran says the warning system was jointly funded by the marina, the regional council and Civil Defence in the region.
He says large earthquakes in Chile in 2010, in Japan in March last year and another near the Kermadec Islands about a year ago had all impacted on the Tutukaka marina to some extent.
“The aftermath of the overseas quakes in particular was an eye-opener for many in the area, with unusually strong tidal conditions surprising many with their relatively rapid arrival and strength.”
Mr Surendran says officials had begun investigating the possibility of installing an early warning system at Tutukaka marina some time ago, however, it had taken a number of months to investigate, research and source an appropriate coloured and affordable light to ensure it was easily visible day and night.
He says the recently-installed equipment includes a standard tsunami siren similar to those found along much of the Whangarei district’s east coast, but also a yellow flashing light designed to be visible 24-hours.
“The system is connected to the Civil Defence network and will be remotely activated whenever the rest of the coastal tsunami warning system is triggered by Civil Defence.”
Mr Surendran says the siren will only be active for 10 minutes every hour, however, the light will remain on for as long as any tsunami danger exists.
“If a tsunami is expected, it may be dangerous for vessels to attempt entering or leaving the marina as this area of the harbour experiences strong surges even during smaller tsunami events.”
Mr Surendran says as long as the warning siren and/or the light are active, skippers should not attempt to enter or leave the marina.’
“They need to contact the marina office before attempting to do so.”
He says at this stage there are no plans to roll out the system to other marinas, which unlike Tutukaka, have not been unduly affected by tsunami events to date.
Regular testing and maintenance of the new Tutukaka equipment will be carried out with the rest of the coastal tsunami warning system in the Whangarei district.
Meanwhile, Mr Surendran says the Tutukaka light only can also be activated manually – and independently of the district-wide tsunami warning system – if required.
“Obviously, this is not something that would be done lightly, but there may be an occasion when dangerous conditions are expected in or near the marina but not on the rest of the coast. Pre-set criteria for manual activation have already been agreed between the marina and officials.”