NAHRIM through the Coastal and Oceanography Research Centre (PKPO) in collaboration with Sabah Parks, has completed the first cycle of wave and current observations in the waters of the Sulu Sea, Sandakan. This operation was successfully carried out by the NAHRIM diving team led by Mr. Ahmad Tarmizi Alwi alongside four (4) officers with the assistance of local residents. The execution involved data coverage spanning nearly 10 months from November 2025 to August 2026, thereby expanding NAHRIM’s long-term marine monitoring network in Malaysia’s strategic waters.
The use of the high-precision Acoustic Wave and Current Profiler (AWAC) instrument enabled continuous recording of wave and current parameters at a high temporal resolution. This observation period encompassed critical phases of seasonal oceanographic changes—including the Northeast Monsoon, the monsoon transition period, and the Southwest Monsoon—serving as an essential foundation for identifying hydrodynamic variations and patterns in the Sulu Sea.
This strategic data acts as critical input for sea-level rise studies, coastal engineering, maritime safety and navigation, as well as the development and calibration of hydrodynamic models. Additionally, this high-resolution current data has the potential to support International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-100/S-111 requirements and serve as a core component in the development of Malaysia’s Marine Digital Twin.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in establishing long-term oceanographic time series data for Sabah waters. The continuation of subsequent observation cycles will enable NAHRIM to build an increasingly robust scientific baseline, identify inter-seasonal and inter-annual variations, and enhance the overall understanding of the Sulu Sea’s hydrodynamic dynamics.
Kementerian Peralihan Tenaga dan Transformasi Air
#InstitutPenyelidikanAirKebangsaanMalaysia
