Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Nautical Anchorage Selection
Considering that moorings and anchorages for vessels have recently become an important factor in nautical tourism, the selection of their locations is a complex and demanding process. This paper examines numerous criteria from different perspectives to determine the most favourable/optimal locations...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/4/728 |
| _version_ | 1797604807976943616 |
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| author | Danijel Pušić Zvonimir Lušić |
| author_facet | Danijel Pušić Zvonimir Lušić |
| author_sort | Danijel Pušić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Considering that moorings and anchorages for vessels have recently become an important factor in nautical tourism, the selection of their locations is a complex and demanding process. This paper examines numerous criteria from different perspectives to determine the most favourable/optimal locations for nautical anchorages, meeting the conditions and recommendations of professionals from several domains, by applying the methods of multi-criteria analysis. The goal of solving the problem this way is to meet the expectations of future users, spatial planners, possible investors, and concessionaires interested in doing business in these areas, as well as entities that strive to preserve and protect marine and underwater animal life and the environment by preventing their degradation and pollution. However, since there are no precisely defined recommendations for the establishment of nautical anchorages, in the procedures for determining the locations of nautical anchorages, it is possible to use general criteria they must fulfil. The best locations for nautical anchorages may be found, and this research represents a transparent, repeatable, and well-documented approach for methodically solving the problem. This is demonstrated by a comparison of many methods of multi-criteria analysis, utilizing a variety of parameters. On the other side, this calls for proficiency in a wide range of disciplines, including architecture, geodesy, marine safety and transport, architecture, biology, ecology, mathematical programming, operational research, information technology, environmental protection, and others. The best locations for nautical anchorages should be chosen based on the size and number of vessels, available space, depth, distance from the coast, level of protection of the anchorage waters, and many other limiting factors, keeping in mind that the spots which simultaneously satisfy a greater number of significant criteria are preferable. Using multi-criteria analysis methods (AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) and TOPSIS (The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution)), evaluating and classifying criteria as well as assigning weight values to selected criteria, this paper investigates the possibility of obtaining the best locations from a group of possible ones. The most important factor when applying multi-criteria analysis methods refer to the following: vessel safety (navigation), hydrometeorological, spatial, economic, and environmental criteria. The main contribution of the paper displays in the proposal to optimize the decision-making process, when determining the optimal locations of nautical anchorages, in accordance with previously defined criteria. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:52:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-693221451d274e4cad880f5a43ff8353 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:52:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-693221451d274e4cad880f5a43ff83532023-11-17T19:55:11ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122023-03-0111472810.3390/jmse11040728Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Nautical Anchorage SelectionDanijel Pušić0Zvonimir Lušić1Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaFaculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaConsidering that moorings and anchorages for vessels have recently become an important factor in nautical tourism, the selection of their locations is a complex and demanding process. This paper examines numerous criteria from different perspectives to determine the most favourable/optimal locations for nautical anchorages, meeting the conditions and recommendations of professionals from several domains, by applying the methods of multi-criteria analysis. The goal of solving the problem this way is to meet the expectations of future users, spatial planners, possible investors, and concessionaires interested in doing business in these areas, as well as entities that strive to preserve and protect marine and underwater animal life and the environment by preventing their degradation and pollution. However, since there are no precisely defined recommendations for the establishment of nautical anchorages, in the procedures for determining the locations of nautical anchorages, it is possible to use general criteria they must fulfil. The best locations for nautical anchorages may be found, and this research represents a transparent, repeatable, and well-documented approach for methodically solving the problem. This is demonstrated by a comparison of many methods of multi-criteria analysis, utilizing a variety of parameters. On the other side, this calls for proficiency in a wide range of disciplines, including architecture, geodesy, marine safety and transport, architecture, biology, ecology, mathematical programming, operational research, information technology, environmental protection, and others. The best locations for nautical anchorages should be chosen based on the size and number of vessels, available space, depth, distance from the coast, level of protection of the anchorage waters, and many other limiting factors, keeping in mind that the spots which simultaneously satisfy a greater number of significant criteria are preferable. Using multi-criteria analysis methods (AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) and TOPSIS (The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution)), evaluating and classifying criteria as well as assigning weight values to selected criteria, this paper investigates the possibility of obtaining the best locations from a group of possible ones. The most important factor when applying multi-criteria analysis methods refer to the following: vessel safety (navigation), hydrometeorological, spatial, economic, and environmental criteria. The main contribution of the paper displays in the proposal to optimize the decision-making process, when determining the optimal locations of nautical anchorages, in accordance with previously defined criteria.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/4/728nautical anchoragemulti-criteria analysiscriteriaoptimization of spatial locationsweight coefficientsconcession fields |
| spellingShingle | Danijel Pušić Zvonimir Lušić Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Nautical Anchorage Selection Journal of Marine Science and Engineering nautical anchorage multi-criteria analysis criteria optimization of spatial locations weight coefficients concession fields |
| title | Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Nautical Anchorage Selection |
| title_full | Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Nautical Anchorage Selection |
| title_fullStr | Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Nautical Anchorage Selection |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Nautical Anchorage Selection |
| title_short | Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Nautical Anchorage Selection |
| title_sort | multi criteria decision analysis for nautical anchorage selection |
| topic | nautical anchorage multi-criteria analysis criteria optimization of spatial locations weight coefficients concession fields |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/4/728 |
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