On weather limitations for safe marine operations in the Barents Sea

The Barents Sea wave conditions and the weather conditions that often accompany fully developed polar lows are presented in this paper. The studies on the extreme waves showed that the extreme waves in the Barents Sea decreases as we move further north. The Barents Sea wave conditions are found to be more accessible for marine operations in the summer months compared to the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea wave conditions. However, the quality of actual weather forecasts and the contribution of long periodic swells to the total sea in the Barents Sea could negate the longer weather windows observed in the area. Further, the weather conditions that often accompany fully developed polar lows represent limitations to marine operations in the Barents Sea. It was found that the significant wave height in polar lows could be up to 9 m. In addition, snow and ice accretion in polar lows are deemed operation and safety hazards. Overall, marine operation may not be carried out within the period when a polar low is likely to occur. (paper)