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Surface waves and safety of navigation on the Adriatic Sea

The Adriatic Sea is a semi-enclosed sea forming a distinct sub-region within the Mediterranean Sea region. It is a deeply indented gulf (cca. 800 km long and 200 km wide). From an oceanographic point of view, especially in terms of wind generated surface waves, the Adriatic Sea may be regarded as an enclosed sea. Most frequent surface waves in the Adriatic are generated by the bora and sirocco in the winter period, and the NW wind (maestrale) in the summer period. Characteristics of wind generated surface waves generally depend on the direction, speed and duration of predominant winds, dimensions of the area in which the winds blow (fetch) and topography of the sea bottom (sea depth), generating in the Adriatic much higher sirocco waves than those of the bora at the same wind speed and duration. Occurrence of a fully developed model of wind waves is not typical of the Adriatic because of limited fetches. However, some instrumental measurements of surface wave elements show that during hurricane speed of sirocco winds of long fetches, wave models with maxima wave heights higher than 10 m may be developed. Results of wave measurements at four locations (North, Middle and South Adriatic) according to the Directive 2003/25/EC indicated the value of a significant wave height in the open part of the Adriatic Sea (whose exceeding probability is 10% or less), in one year period, is estimated to be HS = 1.5 m. It was concluded that this experimental data is extremely important for the safety of navigation in the Adriatic Sea.

wind-generated surface waves, Adriatic Sea, safety of navigation

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