RFID Lowdown: Buoying Up the Environment

February 12, 2007

Buoying Up the Environment

-- Pushpa Sathish, Staff Writer

Time and again, nature has had to pay the price for the progress of mankind. The environment has been gradually degraded under the guise of technological advancement. Now it’s time for technology to repay its debt to the earth and contribute its mite to the conservation of natural resources.

RFID is stepping in to do its part – the technology is being used to prevent the destruction of natural coral reefs when anchors are dropped by the numerous yachts cruising the seas. The MarPark system allows boaters to moor their crafts using a rope, a rubber ring, and a smartbuoy. They sign up for the service online and receive the SeaPass ring through the mail.

On arrival at their port of favor, all they have to do is hook the ring to within 4 inches of the reader in the buoy, which in turn is activated only when the sensor picks up the inclination of the moored boat. The buoys are environment-friendly;

[via Wired]

They tether to octagonal modules of reinforced concrete that allow the sea floor to "breathe," minimizing environmental impact.

The ring also provides value added services for the cruisers – on docking, it relays information to an onshore service center that allows them access to water taxis and supplies.

Developed by Italgest Mare with technical know-how from Siemens Italia, the system is supported by the environmental group Legambiente and is currently on trial at a few protected locations in Liguria and Sardinia in Italy. If all goes according to plan, MarPark will park itself at around 20 areas by the year 2009, including Costa Smeralda, Otranto (Puglia) and the Greek island of Corfu.

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February 12, 2007 | Permalink