MULTI-USE POTENTIAL OF OFFSHORE FACILITIES, ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS AND PLATFORMS IN BAYS AND ESTUARIES

Competing pressures from expanding megalopoli for further coastal development, conflict with desires to preserve environmental quality. Development of coastal land cannot continue indefinitely and many of the needs for coastal space will have to be satisfied with locations further inland; an alternative is to provide additional space by construction of artificial islands and platforms offshore to meet the coastal and regional needs. Another set of pressures for coastal space stems from rapidly emerging ocean resources development and world trade--superships, submersibles, offshore construction rigs, petroleum activities and mining, as well as fishing and recreation. From the generic viewpoint this paper seeks preliminary answers to questions of the economic and environmental feasibility of: (1) transferring development and nuisance type uses from coastal areas to artificial islands and platforms, and (2) making new land for recreation and conservation type uses. Order of magntude costs of artificial islands, pile supported platforms, and floating structures are given for different types, areas of space, depths of water, and exposure, and compared with the waterfront land cost. Potential uses of offshore facilities are classified into, (1) "development and nuisance uses" and (2) "conservation and attractive uses." Different uses and demands are considered for offshore islands and platforms applications. A brief conceptual analysis is made of nearshore and offshore facilities to meet the needs of bays and estuaries with large populations. The study and examples indicate economic and environmental feasibility, under favorable conditions, for: (1) "attractive" (2) "development" islands and platforms, and (3) multi-use facilities. Materials to build artificial islands are now available and going to waste. Economies of scale favor large multi-use facilities. The conclusions are based on a review of literature, conceptual plans and estimates, and a brief study for the Long Island Sound Region, of the "offshore island/platform alternative" as one of the available options of coastal planning and management.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Cost of entire Proceedings is $25.00.
• Corporate Authors:

  Marine Technology Society

  5565 Sterrett Place, Suite 108
  Columbia, MD  United States  21044
• Authors:
  • McAleer, J
• Publication Date: 1974-9

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 697-714
• Serial:
  • NORWEGIAN SHIPPING NEWS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Development; Intermodal terminals; Offshore platforms; Offshore terminals
• Old TRIS Terms: Terminal development
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00071896
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Marine Technology Society
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 12 1974 12:00AM