An investigation of inshore wave conditions using satellite data Available to Purchase

Wave heights can now be derived routinely from satellite altimeter data. Suitable satellite coverage of the coastal waters of the UK spans a period of approximately ten years and could be a valuable new source of long-term wave climate information. The recovery of wave heights from satellite observations is restricted to areas greater than approximately 10 km from the coastline. Thus, to be of direct use to coastal engineers these relatively deep-water wave conditions have to be transformed to the sites of specific interest. This paper describes the results of an investigation into whether the archive of satellite data can provide a useful source of wave information for providing the design wave climate for coastal works. In situ wave measurements in deep, intermediate and shallow water at Holderness are used to assess the accuracy of satellite-derived and wave conditions in deep-water and shallow-water conditions predicted using a numerical wave transformation model.