Glossary

Deutsch: Sandbank / Español: Banco / Português: Banco / Français: Banc / Italiano: Banco

Bank in the maritime context refers to an elevated area on the sea floor, typically composed of sand, mud, gravel, or rock, that is higher than the surrounding seabed. These underwater features can significantly impact navigation, marine life, and coastal processes.

Description

In the maritime industry, a bank is an underwater elevation that can pose navigational hazards to vessels if not properly marked or identified. Banks are often found near coastlines, in estuaries, or in the open sea and can be formed by natural processes such as sediment deposition, currents, and wave action. They can vary greatly in size, shape, and depth.

Characteristics of Banks:

• Composition: Banks can be made of sand, gravel, mud, rocks, or a combination of these materials.
• Formation: Formed by natural sedimentary processes, ocean currents, wave action, or geological activity.
• Location: Commonly found near coastlines, river mouths, or in the open ocean where currents and tides deposit sediments.

Importance and Usage

Banks play several crucial roles in the maritime context:

1. Navigation: Banks can create shallow areas that pose risks to ships, requiring careful navigation and accurate charting.
2. Marine Habitats: Banks often serve as important habitats for marine life, including fish, coral, and other organisms, supporting biodiversity.
3. Fishing Grounds: Many banks are rich fishing grounds, providing abundant resources for commercial and recreational fishing.
4. Coastal Protection: Banks can help protect shorelines by dissipating wave energy and reducing coastal erosion.

Navigational Considerations

Navigating near banks requires careful attention to charts and depth soundings. Mariners must be aware of the potential hazards posed by these underwater features:

• Shallow Waters: Banks can create areas of shallow water that may not be navigable by larger vessels.
• Uncharted Changes: Banks can shift or change shape due to sediment movement, requiring updated navigational charts.
• Markers and Buoys: Banks are often marked with buoys or beacons to alert mariners to their presence and help guide safe passage.

Application Areas

Banks are relevant in various maritime contexts:

1. Shipping: Ensuring safe navigation routes around banks to avoid groundings or collisions.
2. Fishing: Exploiting rich fishing grounds found on banks for commercial and recreational purposes.
3. Environmental Conservation: Protecting important marine habitats found on banks to preserve biodiversity.
4. Coastal Engineering: Using banks to enhance coastal protection and manage erosion.

Well-Known Examples

• Grand Banks: Located off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, this area is one of the world's richest fishing grounds.
• Dogger Bank: Situated in the North Sea, it is an important area for fishing and is being developed for offshore wind farms.
• Great Bahama Bank: A large, shallow area off the coast of the Bahamas, known for its clear waters and diverse marine life.

Treatment and Risks

Managing the risks associated with banks involves several strategies:

• Accurate Charting: Regularly updating navigational charts to reflect changes in the location and shape of banks.
• Use of Technology: Employing sonar and GPS technology to detect and monitor banks.
• Environmental Monitoring: Studying the ecological impact of banks and implementing conservation measures as needed.
• Safety Protocols: Developing and following safety protocols for navigating near banks, including speed restrictions and designated routes.

Similar Terms

• Shoal: A natural underwater ridge, often composed of sand, that rises close to the water's surface and can be hazardous to navigation.
• Reef: A ridge of rock, sand, or coral at or near the water's surface, often supporting a diverse ecosystem but posing navigation risks.
• Bar: A submerged or partially submerged ridge of sand or sediment at the mouth of a river or harbor, affecting water depth and navigation.

Weblinks

• finanzen-lexikon.de: 'Bank' in the finanzen-lexikon.de (German)
• allerwelt-lexikon.de: 'Bank' in the allerwelt-lexikon.de (German)
• top500.de: 'Bank' in the glossary of the top500.de

Summary

Bank in the maritime context refers to an elevated area on the sea floor that can impact navigation, marine life, and coastal processes. These underwater features are essential for safe maritime operations, providing habitats for marine species, and serving as rich fishing grounds. Proper management and accurate charting of banks are crucial to avoid navigational hazards and to protect the ecological significance of these areas. Notable examples like the Grand Banks and Dogger Bank highlight their importance in both economic and environmental contexts.

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