Analysing the accessibility of a selected southern Baltic Sea location with relevance to conducting surveys

Abstract

Abstract The article presents the accessibility conditions for carrying out research work for an exemplary site in the southern Baltic Sea region. The basic parameter of the state of the marine environment was the significant wave height determined at a frequency of one hour based on the ERA 5 model data covering the period between 1940 and 2022. A statistical analysis of the variability of this height on a monthly basis, taking into account its conversion into the time of potential availability in conditions enabling research, showed its strong seasonal variability in the form of differences in the number of hours that can be used for operating purposes. This number, depending on the research vessel capabilities, may even be an order of magnitude higher in the summer months than in winter. Additionally, it was found that the variability of the significant wave height has not changed substantially over the last 82 years.