Natural Hazard Losses from Coastal and Offshore Phenomena

A nation whose coastal areas, offshore as well as onshore, are becoming more intensively developed and utilized must recognize the potential property damage as well as loss of life and cost of injuries that may result from increasing vulnerability to natural hazards such as hurricanes, accompanying tornadoes, and other storms. These will have an impact on communications as well as boat and vessel accidents, also near-shore and off-shore installations. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of safe and effective use of the marine environment and the need for increasing attention and evaluation. Perhaps nowhere is the need for environmental data and analysis so great as it is in dealing with environmental hazards.