Rip Current Hazard Assessment for Tourism Safety in Bay of Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi
Ari Saputra, Rima Rachmayani, Ankiq Taofiqurohman

Bandung Institute of Technology, Padjadjaran University

Abstract

Sukabumi Regency is one of the regencies in West Java with beautiful and attractive coastal areas for tourism sector that supports the regional economic development. However, rip current are occurred on several beaches at the Loji Beach, Batu Bintang Beach, Pelabuhan Ratu Beach, Citepus Beach, Karang Hawu Beach, and Kebon Kelapa Beach. Rip current is the currents move from coastline toward the seas at varying speeds and the currents are often endanger for the tourist. This study aims to obtain the rip current hazard index and identify the safety period for tourism and determine the best management to improve tourist safety at Pelabuhan Ratu Bay. The present study used wave data, Java Sea bathymetry data, sediment type data, and relative tide range data. Pelabuhan Ratu Bay has a characteristic depth that ranges from 0 - 1800 meters and a coastal slope of 1 - 3 degree. The wave height at Pelabuhan Ratu Bay ranges from 0.4 to 1.2 meters. Depth differences, coastal morphological conditions, and wave height are factors that cause rip currents at Pelabuhan Ratu Bay. Rip current hazard assessment is based on the Rip Current Hazard Assessment Guide (RNLI). Based on the evaluation results of the rip current hazard index at Pelabuhan Ratu Bay, it is 1 to 4 means included in the category safety to very dangerous. The period that is considered relatively safe for tourism based on hazard index of rip current is in June to November because the wave height in those months are lower than other months.

Keywords: Hazard Index, Rip Current, Pelabuhan Ratu Bay

Topic: Ocean Sciences