Papua New Guinea - Geodetic Monitoring Site

Site ID
BAMI
Station Location
Bam Island
Station Number
GS 32087
Station Address
Biem Village
Bam Island
Schouten Island Group
East Sepik Province

WGS-84 Station Coordinates
Latitude            S 3°35'51".2
Longitude         E 144°49'10".6
Ellipsoidal Ht     136m

SITE OWNERSHIP

Owner / Authority
Customary Land, Biem Village
Site Contact/s
Greg Kibai, Island Councillor
Phone
856 1392 (disconnected as of Sept 2000)
Fax

Address
PO Box 107
WEWAK
ESP

Email

STATION DESCRIPTION

Station marker
Brass plaque in concrete (1.2m deep)
Inscription
GS 32087
Reference marks
3 x 150mm galvanized bolts in concrete
Witness marks
Basketball posts
Azimuth marks
none
Station constructed by/date
Richard Stanaway, RSES, ANU, 13th September 2000
special instructions
Bring plenty of WATER, food and trade goods,
Bam Island has a chronic food shortage
There is no permanent water supply on the island
The only water supply is rain water stored in tanks


Site soil / Geology
Thick loam, on tephra

SITE ACCESS

Boats
Steve Harriman in Wewak, can charter two boats; MV Larakan and MV Christopher (larger), for K700 per day.
His office is in the Dunlop warehouse, near the Works Depot
Phone 856 1265
Fax 856 1266
PO Box 16, Wewak, ESP

The boat speed is about 9-12 knots

Cargo boats and PMVs make very irregular visits to Bam. There are only a few banana boats on the island, and cargo boats are infrequent

Biem village is on the northern aspect of the island, which is an inactive volcanic cone. Anchorage is possible 400m west of Biem village, from where dinghies and outriggers can gain access to the rocky beach. The station is located near the centre of the village at the edge of the basket-ball court which also acts as a helipad.

SITE FACILITIES

Power
Solar panels are really essential
Some generators exist on the island, but fuel is a major problem

Shelter
Tent is required for receiver
Accommodation
Village accommodation is available, Greg can arrange billeting

Security
None required
Labour
Local islanders can assist, rice, kerosene and trade goods are greatly appreciated in exchange.
Communications
radio or satellite phone essential, due to the lack of regular transport and improbability of phone services.
Adverse conditions
Isolation and snakes (wear gaiters and take precautions + anti-venom if available)
SITE DIAGRAMS

Access map

Site diagram

site photographs
Mark 282 kb

Elevation mask

OCCUPATION SUMMARIES

2000 Campaign

Party leader
Zebedee Sombo, Surveying, UNITECH
Contact details
473 4959 UNITECH
Assistant/s
none
Labour / security
Biem villagers can assist.
Receiver type
Ashtech Z-12

Receiver serial number
637
Antenna type
Ashtech Z-12 Chokering
Antenna serial number
936
Height measured to
bottom edge of antenna

Slant height antenna
1.522

Changes in antenna ht

Batteries/power supply
3 x 24 amp/hr sealed lead acid batteries 1 x 50 amp/hr wet cell battery 1 x 6amp solar panel
Occurences (stoppages/earthquakes/antenna disturbances and adjustments)

Occupation summary
  FILE         SIZE       START        END
  NAME         Bytes  T S DAY/TIME(UT) DAY/TIME(UT) DNLD TIME STATUS
1 RBAMIB00.257 420864 3 B 257/12:00:28 257/23:59:28 00:02:05 COMPLETE
2 RBAMIA00.258 345088 3 A 258/00:00:28 258/11:59:28 00:01:43 COMPLETE
3 RBAMIB00.258 413696 3 B 258/12:00:28 258/23:59:28 00:02:02 COMPLETE
4 RBAMIA00.259 345088 3 A 259/00:00:28 259/11:59:28 00:01:43 COMPLETE
5 RBAMIB00.259 360448 3 B 259/12:00:28 259/22:06:58 00:01:47 COMPLETE
6 RBAMIB00.260 270336 3 A 260/02:41:28 260/11:59:28 00:01:21 COMPLETE
7 RBAMIC00.260 420864 3 B 260/12:00:28 260/23:59:28 00:02:05 COMPLETE
8 RBAMIA00.261 344064 3 A 261/00:00:28 261/11:59:28 00:01:42 COMPLETE
9 RBAMIB00.261 420864 3 B 261/12:00:28 261/23:59:28 00:02:05 COMPLETE
10 RBAMIA00.262 294912 3 A 262/00:00:28 262/11:59:28 00:01:28 COMPLETE
11 RBAMIB00.262 307200 3 B 262/12:00:28 262/20:27:58 00:01:32 COMPLETE
12 RBAMIC00.262 15360 3 B 262/22:31:28 262/22:57:58 00:00:06 COMPLETE

Last updated: 25th October 2000
Richard Stanaway
Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University