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Floating breakwaters are gaining in importance for the protection from severe waves nowadays simply because the are multi-functional structures. Floating breakwaters have many potential applications for boat basin protection and boat ramp protection. Presently, most floating breakwaters provide a degree of protection from short-period wind waves or boat wake at semi-sheltered sites in estuaries, reservoirs, marinas, lakes and rivers. A safe sheltered zone can be established at the lee side of the floating structure in order to meet both the environmental or commercial need at coastal areas.
Currently, the interest in floating breakwaters mainly comes from the military for construction deployable ports, from the pleasure boat market, and from expanding commercial harbours. Most of these sites will need some form of perimeter protection. Even a sheltered site will likely require some separation between the berthing area and the river or outlet to reduce short period waves and boat wash and keep out floating debris. Floating breakwater is the best solution to the problems. It can provide a versatile means of protecting any marina or dockage area as well as providing the best protection both from wind waves as well as wave created by boat traffic.
Besides, floating breakwaters also provide a certain extent of shoreline erosion control. They can reduce or prevent the costly consequences of lakeshore or seashore erosion. Floating breakwaters can also provide a protected area of water such as near beaches, and around constructed projects at nearshore or offshore from severe waves. Some of the floating breakwaters are found suitable to be applied as docks for mooring boats in non-storm condition, e.g. floating pontoon. For some practical uses, they can act as a swim area barrier, debris boom, etc. They can be useful even in the most unusual applications such as sewage ponds, etc., by simply helping to moderate the wave or providing accesses from one place to another |
