1 August 2012: The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has issued a call for proposals regarding the acquisition, installation and maintenance/leveling visits of tide gauge equipment over a one-year period in the Caribbean. The call is issued as part of the IOC-UNESCO’s mandate to coordinate implementation of the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions (CARIBE EWS).

Proposals should detail how maintenance visits will be carried out, and the proposed configuration of the sea level stations should be based on high-quality equipment that perform to the requirements and accuracy of the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS). Proposals should be sent by 30 August 2012.

According to IOC, despite coastal populations being at less risk from tsunamis than in the past, at least 3,503 lives have been lost in the Caribbean Basin since 1842. [UNESCO Press Release] [Request for Proposals]