Application of Envisat-Asar Wave Mode Data in Analysis of Fishing Shipwreck Accidents

Swells are important in coastal seas and can cause fishing shipwreck accidents due to its long duration and huge energy. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has been proved to be an important remote tool for observing waves especially swells. In this study, swell information from orbital wave mode data of ENVISAT-ASAR combined with model outputs was used to quantify the effects of swells in wave-caused shipwreck accidents in China coastal seas. When the shipwreck accidents happened, 1) most mixed significant wave heights were larger than 2.0 m with swell portion larger than 50%; 2) the angles between propagation directions of mixed waves and swells were in range of 40°-60°, and the shipwreck accidents happened more likely when conditions 1) and 2) were both satisfied.