IMPLICATIONS OF MARINE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR THE SHIPPING OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE CARGO ALONG THE COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUMMARY

The climatology of storm events and rough sea conditions which poses logistical problems to ships rounding the coast of South Africa is analysed. Severe environmental conditions are contributed by “roaring 40s” southwesterly gales and swells, and enhanced by the warm Agulhas Current. The chance of a winter storm system with a pressure < 995 hPa affecting the South African south coast is 5%, the chance of gale force winds > 25 m s⁻¹ is > 1% in all seasons, and the chance of winter swells > 9 m is 1%. The mixing potential and transport pathways in the ocean and the lower atmosphere are considered, in the event of a marine accident involving radioactive or hazardous waste spilling onto the continental shelf.