Validation of a SWAN Model for Maritime safety and Nearshore Conditions in American Samoa

American Samoa is located in the South-Central Pacific Ocean in the Samoan archipelago. Being more that 1,500 miles from any larger land mass means the islands can be subjected to high energy wave conditions that are able to build over hundreds of miles of ocean. American Samoa’s population heavily relies on the marine realm for a variety of cultural and socioeconomic factors. For a community such as American Samoa’s, that is centered both physically and culturally around the ocean, these conditions can be threatening as they often involve dangers such as high wave heights offshore of the islands. Because of this, it is prudent to understand the wave behaviors surrounding the island for the safety of the people inhabiting them, especially for those living coastally, which accounts for the majority of the population. A regional wave model was developed using Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) to predict past wave events around Tutuila, American Samoa’s main island. This model was originally developed and validated to assist in characterizing the wave climate for energy resource evaluation. This work presents the validation of the regional SWAN wave model for maritime safety use around American Samoa. This validation uses measurements from three SOFAR spotter buoys, small wave buoys, deployed at difference sites around Tutuila. A well-validated SWAN model could be developed into a valuable resource to aid local decision-makers and mariners in day-to-day maritime safety decisions related to vessel operations and overall recreation.