Saaremaa Deep Harbour Layout Design and Computer Simulation of the Wave Climate and Sediment Transport

The layouts for the three proposed sites for the Saaremaa Island deep harbour were designed at Corson Consulting. The layouts were designed on the basis of geological, hydrometeorological, and wave and current conditions. Emphasis was given to the impact of the future harbour on nature. The layouts were used as the basis for wave and velocity field calculations using program MIKE 21. Wave and velocity characteristics were determined for wind directions that are significant for the harbour sites. SandCalc 2.0 was applied for calculation of wave generated shear stresses on the bottom of the seabed around the harbour sites taking into account the local bed characteristics. The calculated shear stresses were used for the analysis of the sediment processes. The results indicate that Suuriku-Kuriku site is the most favourable site for the harbour. The proposed layout protects satisfactorily the harbour basin from most wind directions. The movement of the alluvial material into the harbour basin does not generate problems due to the characteristics of the seabed. Calculation shows that at Suuriku-Kuriku less dredging work is needed than at the other sites.