26th Geographic Information Systems Conference and Exhibition “GIS ODYSSEY 2019” Conference proceedings

NAUTICAL TOURISM IN THE BOKA KOTORSKA BAY

Luka Mitrovic, M.Sc. Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology Podgorica, Montenegro e-mail: [email protected]

Branislav Gloginja, M.Sc. Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology Podgorica, Montenegro e-mail: [email protected] Abstract This paper presents the development of nautical tourism in Boka Kotorska Bay and the significance of hydrographic surveying. Boka Kotorska Bay (Boka Bay) represents a closed basin with specific hydrographic and dynamic characteristics. Since ancient time, the Boka Bay is recognized as the place where all kind of ships have shelter trough bad weather. In Montenegro, nautical tourism is a major branch of tourism, and it has an excellent potential for development. The development of nautical tourism has been increased in the last 10 years, especially after the opening of two new marinas and the increase in the number of cruise ships that visit port of Kotor. A hydrographic survey plays the most important role into safety of navigation. Exactly information about depth and bottom configuration is crucial to make a nautical chart, i.e. the hydrographic survey results. Key words: nautical tourism, Boka Kotorska Bay, cruise ship tourism, safety of navigation, hydrographic surveying Introduction The Adriatic Sea encompasses the area between Balkan peninsula and Apennine peninsula, at geographic latitude 39°45´ N and 45°45´ N, and geographic longitude 12°15´ E and 19°45´ E. The south border in the whole region represents the Otranto Strait and goes through the line joining Cape St. Maria di Leuca (Italy) – north coast of Corfu island (Greek) – mouth of Butrintit River (Albania). The longitudinal axis measured from the mouth of the river Butrintit (Albania) to the Porto di Lido (Italy) is 475 nautical miles and width-axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal, from the port Omiš (Croatia) to the port Vasto (Italy) is 117 nautical miles. The Adriatic Sea covers an area of 138.595 km2. Boka Kotorska Bay is situated in Montenegro and is a winding bay of the Adriatic Sea. The Bay, sometimes called Europe's southernmost fjord, is in fact a submerged river canyon of the Bokelj River, which used to run from the plateaus of mountain Orjen, 1894 m in height (DANILOVIĆ, 2006). Boka Kotorska is a deep and very jagged bay with four smaller bays: Herceg Novi, Tivat, Risan and Bay of Kotor (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Four bays of Boka Kotorska bay. Source: (The Boka Kotorska Bay Environment, 2016).

The narrowest part of the bay is the Verige strait. It divides the Boka Kotorska bay into two parts, the inner and outer part. Risan and Kotor bays are the inner bays and Tivat and Herceg Novi bays are the outer bays. Boka Kotorska Bay has two significant ports, Port of Kotor and Marina Porto Montenegro 180 26th Geographic Information Systems Conference and Exhibition “GIS ODYSSEY 2019” Conference proceedings

Tivat, and the new opened marina Porto Novi. Since ancient time the Boka Kotorska bay was a natural and great shelter of many rulers who contributed the establishing of settlements, harbors and shipyard. Furthermore, the underwater world of the Boka Kotorska Bay is the one of the very popular and mysterious places of the Adriatic. On the sea bottom and bellow seabed rest remains of ancient ships, some of which were built by the Romans. Today a shipping intensity in Boka Kotorska Bay is very intense (Fig. 2). Red colors indicate high shipping intensity and the blue color shows low intensity.

Fig. 2. Marine traffic Boka Kotorska Bay. Source: (https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:18.6/centery:42.4/zoom:11). Material and methods Hydrographic survey Hydrography is the branch of applied sciences which deals with the measurement and description of the physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes and rivers, as well as with the prediction of their change over time, for the primary purpose of safety of navigation and in support of all other marine activities, including economic development, security and defence, scientific research, and environmental protection (DEFINITION OF HYDROGRAPHY). Also, hydrography support other activity associated with the sea including nautical tourism, and surveing is a primary method to conduct hydrographic data. The history of hydrographic surveying dates long time ago, since the early days of sailing. Old traditional hydrographic surveys required to use of lead line and sounding pole. Lead lines was a ropes or lines with depth markings attached to lead weights. The lines was read mannualy and the process was labor – intensive. Modern survey use different equipment depending on the depth, survey area and hydrographic standards to be meet. Some of these equipment are multibeam echosounder, singlebeam echosounder, side scan sonar, LiDAR system, etc. Echosounders (multibeam, singlebeam) calculate the depth of the seabed by analyzing the time it takes for acoustic signal (sound waves) to travel from a survey boat to the seabed and back (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. Echosounders measure time. Source: (https://dosits.org/people-and-sound/navigation/how-is-sound-used-to- measure-water-depth/).

IHO (International Hydrographic Organisation) Standards for Hydrographic Surveys (Special publication S-44) published in February 2008 describes the orders of survey acceptable for hydrographic

181 26th Geographic Information Systems Conference and Exhibition “GIS ODYSSEY 2019” Conference proceedings

offices to produce navigational products for ships to navigate safely across the surveyed areas. The four orders of survey are defined with respect to the water depth, expected shipping types and survey area. That is the minimum standards for hydrographic surveys. The most rigorous orders is Special Order. Its use for the area where the under-keel clearance is critical, such as berthing areas, harbors and shipping channels. The Order 1A is intended for areas shallower than 100 meters where the under-keel clearance is less critical than for Special Order. The Order 1B is intended for areas shallower than 100 meters where under-keel clearance is not considered to be an issue for the type of surface shipping expected to transit the area. The fourth order is Order 2, the least stringent order and is intended for areas deeper than 100 meters. For the Special Order and Order 1A the full sea floor search is required. Bathymetry Boka Kotorska Bay represents a closed basin with specific hydrographic and dynamic characteristics. It is characterized by relatively large depths inside the bays and communication straits between certain bays and the whole area with the open sea. The total surface area is 87.3 km2, total coast length is 105.7 km and the maximum depth is 60 m (STJEPČEVIĆ, ŽUNJIĆ, 1964). The average depth is 27.3 m. At its widest point the Bay is 7 km wide and at the narrowest point 0.3 km wide (MAGAŠ, 2002). The maximum depth is at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor, gradually decreases toward the interior, and generally ranges between 40 and 45 meters in most parts of the Boka Kotorska Bay (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4. Bathymetry chart Boka Kotorska Bay. Source: (Pilot of Montenegrin coast, 2013).

Significant characteristics of all basins are the convergence of isobaths of greater depths gradually shallowing towards the coast. Isobaths of 20 meters, for example, follow the configuration of the coastline on the distance of 200 up to 300 meters, except in southeastern part of Tivat and the Northwestern part of the Bay of Herceg Novi. The Boka Kotorska Bay is characterized by complex hydrogeological relations that enable formation of a specific transitional zone between fresh and saline waters (DANILOVIĆ, 2006). Bay of Kotor is located at the far inner part of the Boka Kotorska Bay. It’s representative of a closed karstic bay and is connected with the Bay of Tivat by the Verige Strait (Fig. 5), which has a width of only 288 m. This area is characteristic of specific hydro-meteorological, climatic and oceanographic characteristics. In the regional vicinity, it is the area with the greatest amount of precipitation during the year in the Europe (Crkvice), which allows for a great inflow of freshwater. In the rainiest periods this water content has a huge suspension of sediments, which significantly influences the color and transparency of the sea; also the salinity, density and ecological processes in general. However, the highest inflow of freshwater is through numerous springs and groundwater flows, which are not active during the entire year. In the rainy period some of these springs are very active; among them Sopot and Ljuta, can reach peak discharges as large as 200m3/sec in a very short time. This bay is a primary collector of the freshwater supply coming from springs and karst structures along its border (BELLAFIORE et al., 2011).

182 26th Geographic Information Systems Conference and Exhibition “GIS ODYSSEY 2019” Conference proceedings

Fig. 5. Verige Strait. Source: (Pilot of Montenegrin coast, 2013).

Port of Kotor (Fig. 6) is the main port for the passenger ships. It’s located in the far south coast of the Bay of Kotor (Fig. 4).

Fig. 6. Port of Kotor. Source: (http://starclippersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RC_kotor2.jpg).

From the north and east parts the Bay is surrounded by rocky and steep slopes of high hills, without vegetation, and on some places, esspecialy at east part of the Bay, from the Ljuta cove to the Port of Kotor, over the narrow coastal plain belt stand almost vertical cliffs. Kotor is the old Mediterranean port, founded in the 1th century by Romans and surrounded by perfectly preserved city wall. Moreover old town and Bay of Kotor are protected by UNESCO, and it is listed with UNESCO World heritage sites. In 2009, the management of the port of Kotor made decision that without hydrographic survey and official nautical chart, the port of Kotor cannot be recognized on the nautical tourism market. In 2010, after completed hydrographic survey, 313 cruise ships and 142,259 passengers visited the port of Kotor.

183 26th Geographic Information Systems Conference and Exhibition “GIS ODYSSEY 2019” Conference proceedings

Since 2010, the numbers of the passengers and cruise ships has been increased more than 50% with respect to cruise ships and more than 300% with respect to the numbers of passengers. (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8). After successfully finished 2015 season, the port of Kotor received notation from the shipping agencies about new cruise arrivals in 2016. Estimated percentage of the cruise ships arrival was 15% higher than 2015. The main concern for the management was the safety of navigation, therefore they needed a new chart and survey. To obtain update information about water depth and produce nautical chart, the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology was performed new hydrographic survey according to IHO standards.

Fig. 7. Cruise of foreign vessels. Source: (MONSTAT).

Fig. 8. The numbers of passengers. Source: (MONSTAT).

The following table represents the number of cruises and passengers in the port of Kotor in period 2010 till 2017, where is the largest number of ships arrived in 2016, after completed hydrographic survey. Table1. The number of cruises and passengers in the port of Kotor

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Cruises 313 319 348 409 350 411 480 430 Passengers 142,259 187,171 244,084 314,961 306,397 441,513 532,337 540,445

Source: (MONSTAT).

Other two important marinas for the nautical tourism are Marina Porto Montenegro and new opened Marina Portonovi. The both marinas were a former naval base and naval shipyard. Porto Montenegro Marina (Fig.9) is a superyacht marina situated in Tivat, with direct access to the Adriatic Sea with the world’s largest berth of 250 meters. The marina is continuously expanding and on full completion it will provide 850 marina berth.

184 26th Geographic Information Systems Conference and Exhibition “GIS ODYSSEY 2019” Conference proceedings

Fig. 9. Marina Porto Montenegro, Source: (marinaprojects.com).

Portonovi Resort marina is located in Kumbor Kumbor Strait, on site formally known as naval base. The Kumbor strait id directly connected to the cruising waters of the Adriatic Sea. The Portonovi has 250 berths for vessels from 8 meters through to superyachts of 80 m.

Fig. 10. Marina Portonovi. Source: (Cortuesy of Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology).

Conclusions Since 2010, the numbers of the passengers have been increased for 379.9% and in 2017 the total passengers from the cruise ships was 540,445. Two marinas for mega yachts, one opened in 2007, and second recently opened represent that is nautical tourism has the main influence in the Montenegrin tourism. The growing number of marinas in Boka Kotorska Bay, and increased arrivals of ships and yachts into Montenegrin waters play a significant role in safety of navigation. Hence, the hydrographic surveying is the key for providing accuracy information about water depth, seabed characterisation and hydrographic data collection for producing nautical maps. References BELLFIOREC, D., GUARNIERIB, A., GRILLIA, F., PENNAA, P., BORTOLUZZIA, G., GIGLIOA, F., PINARDI, N. 2011. Study of the hydrodynamical processes in the Boka Kotorska Bay with a finite element model. Elsevier, 1-24. DANILOVIĆ, T. 2006. Hydrogeology of the coastal karst in Montenegro. In :14th International karstological school, Classical karst: Sustainable management of natural and environmental resources on karst,

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16-20.06., (Ed. Karst Research Institute, Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts), Postojna, Slovenia. DAUTOVIĆ, J., STRMEČKI, S., PESTORIĆ, B., VOJVODIĆ, V., PLAVŠIĆ, M., KRIVOKAPIĆ, S.,ĆOSOVIĆ, B. 2012. Organic matter in the karstic enclosed bay (Boka Kotorska Bay, South Adriatic Sea). Influence of freshwater input, 995-1006. DEFINITION OF HYDROGRAPHY, International Hydrographic Organisation, http://iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=299&Itemid=289&lang=en (access 06.04.2019). ĐUROVIĆ, M., JOKSIMOVIĆ, A., SEMENOV, A., ZONN, I., KOSTIANOY, A. 2016. Cetaceans in the Boka Kotorska Bay (eds) The Boka Kotorska Bay Environment. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 54. Springer. ECHOSOUNDERS MEASURES TIME, https://dosits.org/people-and-sound/navigation/how-is-sound- used-to-measure-water-depth/ (access 06.04.2019). HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/navigation/hydro/ (access 10.04.2019). INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC BUREAU. 2008. IHO Standards for Hydrographic Surveyors Special Publication No. 44, 1-36. INSTITUTE OF HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY. 2013 Montenegrin Pilot, pp. 29-120. MAGAŠ, D. 2002. Natural-geographic characteristics of the Boka Kotorska area as the basis of development. Geoadria 7, 51-81. MARINA PORTO MONTENEGRO, http://marinaprojects.com/projects/porto-montenegro-marina (access 05.04.2019). MARINE TRAFFIC BOKA KOTORSKA BAY DENSITY MAPS, https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:18.6/centery:42.4/zoom:11 (access 10.04.2019). MONSTAT. Statistical Office Montenegro, https://www.monstat.org/eng/page.php?id=454&pageid=43 (access 05.04.2019). RUSSO, A., ARTEGIAN, A. 1996. Adriatic Sea hydrography. Scienita. Marina, 60 (Supl. 2): 33-43. STJEPČEVIĆ, J., ŽUNJIĆ, V. 1964. Bokokotorski zaliv – fiziografske osobine. (Boka Kotorska Bay- Physiographic characteristics). Godišnjak geografskog društva SR Crne Gore, pp.75-79.

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