The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) was established in 1993 as a society under the administrative control of Department of Ocean Development for undertaking technology development in the ocean sector. It is located in the campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. In addition to providing the technological inputs for ocean technology programmes of DOD, NIOT would render consultancy services to industries. NIOT works with a specific mandate under four Missions i.e., Ocean Energy, Deep Sea Technology & Ocean Mining, Coastal Zone Studies and Marine Instrumentation. The activities under each Mission during the year are as follows;

Ocean Energy

A pilot plant for Wave Energy was commissioned at Vizhinjam in Kerala in 1991. Based on the experiments conducted, a new power module was designed and installed. The tests on performance of the new power module are in progress.

A mathematical model for optimisation of the spacing of the Caissons in breakwater has been developed.

Deep Sea Technology and Ocean Mining

A preliminary design of the test rig was completed for seabed mining upto a depth of 250m.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies of shallow water mining at Chavara, Kerala, are under progress.

Development of module for inspection of under water tunnel, is in progress.

Coastal Zone Studies

Mathematical model to predict changes of the coast line, is being developed.

A base line survey to determine the effect of discharge of the effluent from coastal aquaculture farms, was carried out.

Marine Instrumentation

Laboratory tests for the indigenously designed acoustic tide gauge, were performed.

Designing of a current profiler, remotely controlled sea surface skimmer for rapid acquisition of the oceanographic data, was continued.

Consultancy

A Feasibility study to build a mini-tidal Power plant at Durgaduani creek in Sundarban submitted to Government of West Bengal.

Geotechnical analysis on various bore hole samples relating to Ennore Coal Port in Tamil Nadu, was completed.