journal article·2025-06-19Open access

Navigational Risk Assessment in Offshore Wind Farms Using Spatial Ship Domain Models

Grzegorz Rutkowski, Maria Kubacka

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 12

Abstract

Navigation in offshore wind farm (OWF) areas is essential for construction, maintenance, safety, and traditional activities like fishing. However, the presence of OWFs extends to sea routes, negatively impacting maritime transport economics. This paper examines navigational risk indicators in the vertical and horizontal planes of the ship domain for three representative vessels navigating under different hydrometeorological conditions within the location of a proposed offshore wind farm in the Polish sector of the Baltic Sea. The study compares three types of domain parameters defined by the PIANC guidelines, Coldwell’s two-dimensional model, and Rutkowski’s three-dimensional model. The analysis includes navigational hazards located ahead of the ship’s bow and astern from the aft, as well as keeping under-keel and over-head clearance. Besides the main numerical indicators of navigational risk estimated for obstacles on the port and starboard sides, the study emphasizes the importance of such additional factors. The primary objective of this paper is to identify the ship types that can navigate and fish safely in proximity to and within the OWF area. The analysis employs hydrometeorological data, mathematical models, and operational data derived from maritime navigation and maneuvering simulators. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance maritime safety in OWF areas.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Maritime Navigation and Safety · Ship Hydrodynamics and Maneuverability · Structural Integrity and Reliability Analysis

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Navigation, Faculty of Navigation, Gdynia Maritime University, 80-548 Gdansk, Poland

Department of Operational Oceanography, Maritime Institute, Gdynia Maritime University, 81-225 Gdynia, Poland

Funding

Gdynia Maritime University

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