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Introduction

This section works as a team to execute a number of projects including the beach monitoring programme, the wave monitoring programme, engineering designs and construction, the inspection of coastal structures, hydrographic surveys, and relevant coastal engineering research.

The engineering section is further responsible for the creation of a database of the site-specific parameters generated from the above exercises, and for contributing input to the Coastal Resource Management Section towards development control.

There is need for flexibility amongst these team members as they are often asked to perform tasks for which they do not have direct responsibility. One of the major challenges encountered is the management of routine activities whilst responding to the issues caused by the dynamic nature of the shoreline and the vulnerability of infrastructure located within proximity of the High Water Mark (HWM).

Staff

Staff in this section consists of the Coastal Engineer (head of section), Technical Officer, Hydrographer, Draughtsman and two Chainmen. The Coastal Engineer manages the section's resources, and along with the Technical Officer, carries out the engineering designs and supervises construction of the engineering structures. The wave monitoring programme is also a task of both the Coastal Engineer and Technical Officer. The Hydrographer is responsible for the execution of the hydrographic surveys and the beach monitoring programme. The Chainmen assist the Hydrographer in these exercises. The Draughtsman is responsible for all engineering drawings corresponding to the engineering designs.

Section Projects

The Engineering section performs quarterly monitoring of beach profiles at select sites around Barbados ' coastline. Beach profiles give the shape and elevations of the beaches, and from these, parameters such as beach width and volume can be extracted. These parameters may be used to determine the long-term trends and seasonal variation of the beaches, that is, whether they remain stable over a period of time, or whether accretion or erosion is predominant. This information is used to guide decisions concerning future stabilisation and enhancement works.

There are over sixty (60) sites that are monitored on a quarterly basis. Grain size analyses are also performed on sand samples taken from the beach profile locations.

See map of Beach Profile Locations .

Wave Monitoring Programme

The Unit owns S4ADW wave recorders which are deployed for month long intervals. They are typically submerged in water 15-20 ft deep. A diver will deploy the instrument which is then mounted on a concrete wave base which has been anchored to the seabed.

The main wave parameters collected after post-processing data from the wave recorders include:

• Wave Height
• Wave Period
• Wave Energy as a function of wave frequency
• Wave Direction as a function of wave frequency
• Average Zero Crossing Period
• Average Wave Crest Period
• Mean Water Depth

Other parameters which may be recorded are:

• Tilt
• Conductivity/ Salinity
• Temperature
• Back Scatter (Suspended Solids)
• Transmissivity (Turbidity)
• Dissolved Oxygen

These parameters are then used to implement coastal engineering works:

The engineering section is responsible for the structural designs for shoreline protection works for the Government of Barbados. This section will also prepare the bid packages for these projects, review tenders and supervise the construction of the structures.

Inspection of Coastal Structures

Inspection of coastal structures is performed every two years in order for the section to determine the current state of legal structures and includes the identification of structures in need of maintenance. The number of new legal and/or illegal structures built since the last reporting period is recorded and this information is forwarded to the Town and Country Development Planning Office (TCDPO).

Development Control

The Coastal Resource Management section solicits technical comments from the Engineering section during the assessment of all Town Planning applications involving shoreline protection or enhancement work.

Public Assistance

Beachfront property owners often contact the CZMU requesting guidance on the solution to an erosion problem, especially where structures have become undermined. In most cases a general solution is proposed whilst outlining the concerns of the CZMU. The property owner is then informed of the procedure to follow regarding the submission of an application to the Town and Country Planning Department. A special effort is always made to warn the property owner against circumventing the application process. The Unit is always willing to meet with property owners to discuss possible options for their sites.