The Safe Operation Of Constantza Port During Winter

Abstract

The port of Constantza is on the western coast of the Black Sea, at about 182 nautical miles (nM) from the Bosporus and about 85 nM from the mouth of Sulina Branch, through which the Danube flows into the sea. Its average coordinates are: ● Latitude 44° 09” N ● Longitude 28° 39” E It is the main port of the Romanian shore. The Romanian seaside is generally oriented, 244 km long, with a cliff height of 25–30 m in the range of Constantza port. The continental platform allows safe and easy navigation, because it requires neither excessive turning around navigation obstacles or islands, nor difficult changes of course nor dangerous passages. The limit of Romania’s territorial waters is set at 12 nautical miles (nM) from the shore, beyond which the contiguous zone of 24 nM extends to the open sea. Romania exercises control in this zone in order to prevent and repress infringements of its customs, sanitary, and boundary laws and rules. The paper will present navigation conditions, safety measures for vessel entry into the port area, and functioning conditions during winter and storms. 1. The History of Constantza Port The town and the port of Constantza have their origin in the millennial past of the Dobrogea territory. Archaeological sources prove the existence of a pre-colonial settlement in the cape area of the Constantza peninsula. Linkov_Ch22.indd 401 8/22/2007 5:31:45 PM