# Navigational Risk Assessment in Offshore Wind Farms Using Spatial Ship Domain Models
###### Abstract  
Navigation in offshore wind farm (OWF) areas is essential for construction, maintenance, safety, and traditional activities like fishing. However, the presence of OWFs extends to sea routes, negatively impacting maritime transport economics. This paper examines navigational risk indicators in the vertical and horizontal planes of the ship domain for three representative vessels navigating under different hydrometeorological conditions within the location of a proposed offshore wind farm in the Polish sector of the Baltic Sea. The study compares three types of domain parameters defined by the PIANC guidelines, [PERSON]'s two-dimensional model, and [PERSON]'s three-dimensional model. The analysis includes navigational hazards located ahead of the ship's bow and astern from the aft, as well as keeping under-keel and over-head clearance. Besides the main numerical indicators of navigational risk estimated for obstacles on the port and starboard sides, the study emphasizes the importance of such additional factors. The primary objective of this paper is to identify the ship types that can navigate and fish safely in proximity to and within the OWF area. The analysis employs hydrometeorological data, mathematical models, and operational data derived from maritime navigation and maneuvering simulators. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance maritime safety in OWF areas. s 2025 15 6943 1  
Acedemic Editors: [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON] and [PERSON]  
26 May 2025 14 June 2025 17 June 2025 19 June 2025 19 June 2025 19 June 2025 19 June 2025 19 June 2025 19 June 2025 19 June 2025 19 June 2025 19 June 2025 26 May 2  
particularly sensitive issue is the use of wind farm areas for the merchant ships transit (within designated transit corridors), as well as the implications for fishing and navigation by smaller surface vessels. Fixed installations pose a significant challenge by increasing the number of obstacles at sea that must be avoided. These installations directly affect navigational planning and vessel routing, particularly in areas previously used for transit, fishing, or pilotage. Therefore, navigational safety must be reassessed in the context of OWF layouts and operational zones, as ship movements are constrained by the physical presence of offshore structures and their associated safety zones. According to the plan, approx. 3600 km\({}^{2}\) are allocated for OWFs, which is 12% of Poland's EEZ. The location of Polish wind farms will therefore affect transport accessibility of Polish seaports, particularly those located on the open sea, including Darlowo, Kolobrzeg, Ustka, and Wladyslawowo. It is estimated that the first OWFs in the Polish EEZ will begin producing energy as early as 2026 [9], meaning that the construction phase is imminent. The implementation of OWFs in the Polish EEZ is expected to bring significant ecological and economic benefits. For example, the Baltic Power OWF, located approximately 23 km north of Wladyslawowo, is projected to supply electricity to over 1.5 million households and reduce annual CO\({}_{2}\) emissions by around 2.8 million tonnes [10]. Beyond environmental advantages, offshore wind development is also expected to benefit both local and national economies. According to the Polish Wind Energy Association (PSEW), the offshore wind sector could create up to 77,000 jobs and generate up to PLN 60 billion in gross value added to Poland's economy by 2040 [11]. Ports such as Leba, Ustka, and Gdynia are already undergoing infrastructure upgrades to support OWF construction and maintenance, leading to increased employment in shipbuilding, logistics, and marine services [12]. These developments underscore the need for rigorous navigational risk assessment to ensure the safe integration of OWFs into heavily used maritime areas. At this stage, the increase in vessel traffic associated with wind farm construction, along with the emergence of subsequent offshore installations, will impose certain restrictions on maritime navigation [8].