Abstract
Rip currents are one of the most significant environmental hazards for beachgoers and are of interest to coastal scientists. Several studies have been conducted to understand rip current dynamics, and several approaches for rip hazard assessment have been proposed. In general, the purpose is to provide knowledge and tools to support authorities and lifeguards in rip current risk prevention. This study proposes the application of an expeditious methodology to evaluate rip current hazard and risk, based on probability theory. The tested area was located along the Alassio beach, a renowned tourist destination located on the western Ligurian coast (NW Italy). A coastal video-monitoring system was used for rip currents individuation, whereas wave data were collected thanks to an oceanographic buoy managed by Regione Liguria. In detail, a yearly analysis was performed to identify the correspondence between rip currents and wave parameters data. The results showed that rip currents occur, in the study area, under moderate wave conditions (0.5 le H_s le 1.34 m; 4.7le T_m le 7.0 s; 150^{circ },hbox {N} le theta _m le 227^{circ } N). Based on this analysis, an easy application of the probability theory was applied to evaluate the level of hazard. Moreover, considering the official tourist data, we also perform an expeditious rip currents risk evaluation. The results showed that the hazard level is considered high at annual time scale and moderate during the tourist season; the risk is related to seasonal presences. The study can propose a tool to support authorities and lifeguards in water safety planning and management.
Highlights
In Europe, more than 600 million people per year go to the beach during the summer period, when most of the 27.000/year drownings in coastal waters occur (Funari et al 2016)
To evaluate the rip hazard level, we propose a method based on probability theory (Ferrari et al 2019)
Thanks to a rip currents video monitoring conducted on an annual time scale, we found that wave boundary conditions are responsible for rip currents development
Summary
In Europe, more than 600 million people per year go to the beach during the summer period, when most of the 27.000/year drownings in coastal waters occur (Funari et al 2016). Among other natural hazards in this environment, rip currents are the greatest natural hazard for beachgoers, especially along wave-dominated coasts (Austin et al 2012). Beachgoers are exposed to drowning risk related to rip currents This is due to a range of factors such as: unfamiliarity with the environment and associated hazards (Ballantyne et al 2005; Clifford et al 2018; Moran and Ferner 2017), poor swimming abilities (Drozdzewski et al 2015; Williamson et al 2012) and inattention when on vacation (Clifford et al 2018; Wilks and Pendergast 2010). Italian beaches show minor risk factors compared to the Ocean coastlines Particular conditions such as the presence of structures and/or particular morphologies can increase rip current hazard (Brander and MacMahan 2011). Rip currents events affecting Mediterranean coastlines have been described by Benassai et al (2017), via a model chain (WaveWatchIII + XBeach), sediment grain size analysis and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), highlighting rip events occurrence under wave conditions with offshore wave height between 0.3 and 1.4 m and peak periods from 2.7 to 5.8 s
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
