Comparison of the ERA5 Wave Forecasting Dataset against Buoy Record

Appropriate design of marine structures, such as offshore facilities and harbours, requires a detailed estimation of synthetic wave parameters. Inaccuracies and unreliability of wave data have implications in many aspects of marine engineering, such as structural strength, cost, and design. In this paper, a critical analysis of the most common data acquisition methods is made, focusing on in-situ instrumentation and numerical models. Considering the Pantelleria island as case study, records of a proprietary wave buoy and the ERA5 dataset of ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) have been compared. This paper first highlights the methods and challenges of offshore experimental campaigns for wave monitoring and eventually presents a critical and quantitative comparison of the two approaches (experimental versus numerical), highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages.