Statistical study of wave parameters: sea states in the deep waters (offshore) of the gulf of guinea in Benin

Studying the evolution of swell characteristics as they propagate in coastal zone is essential to understanding the physics of the phenomenon. Control of wave parameters and knowledge of sea states are fundamental elements, both for the development of maritime activities and the prevention and fight against coastal disasters. Our study is based on measurements of data acquired from 2011 to 2014 as part of the extension of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou by the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA-Benin). This work, carried out on the coast of Benin, aims to fill the lack of information on the direction of the swells and to provide statistics representative of their heights in the deep waters of the zone close to the coast, where the swell is not not yet submitted to the action of the funds. In these deep waters (offshore) of the coastal zone, based on measurements of wave data taken at five-minute intervals, on a regular basis over a period of four consecutive years (June 2011 to April 2014), the statistical distribution of the characteristic parameters of the swell (height, direction of propagation, wavelength and period) is worked out. Thus, the significant height H_s, the peak period or the stable mean period of the swell T_p≈〖T_m〗_s are evaluated. The frequent incident direction D_fis evaluated to define the spectral directional distribution of the sea states in the deep waters of the Beninse coastal zone are known through the Beaufort scale used in maritime environments.