Starbase 197 is a Federation Starfleet starbase located on the planet Alonis and near the city Lingasha. Due to the aquatic nature of the Alonis race, half of the starbase is located under the ocean.
In 2293, Alonis ambassador Tel Venatil Liss conducted talks with Ambassadors Spock and Alexandra Tremontaine, who represented the Bureau of Interplanetary Affairs, regarding the establishment of a starbase on the surface of Alonis. During the talks, Liss expressed concerns about the Alonis not having complete access to all the areas of the proposed starbase. (TOS - Crucible novel: The Fire and the Rose)
In 2381, Starbase 197 served as a receiving location for the Starfleet personnel from the USS New York and the USS James T. Kirk who had been forced to evacuate the damaged starships after a battle with the Borg in orbit of the planet. Elias Vaughn was treated at the starbase when he received severe injuries during the battle that left him comatose. (ST - Typhon Pact novel: Rough Beasts of Empire)