The impact of fast ferry traffic on underwater optics and sediment resuspension

Wake waves produced by fast ferries bring about significant changes in the optical parameters of sea water in the c. 1 m thick near-bottom layer of the coastal areas of Tallinn Bay. The greatest of these changes occur at relatively small depths, but the duration of the influence increases with increasing depth. Rough quantitative estimates suggest that the overall influence of fast ferry traffic in Tallinn Bay may result in an annual loss of the order of several hundred litres of fine sediments from each metre of the coastline.