Abstract:
This research is a study and survey of sea transport routes to investigate problems, obstacles and factors affecting navigation in the area of the Maptaphut Industrial Port and the Sattahip Commercial Port by collecting data from questionnaires and using the focus group discussion as a research instrument. The result shows that the average depth of the water course in the area of the Maptaphut Industrial Port is approximately 15-16.4 meters. At the entrance of the port, breakwater revetments were built from the left to the coast with entrance light-buoys at the end of the breakwaters and watercourse light-buoys. There are navigation marks and signs to assist safe navigation in the water course. The areas that require special care in navigating are the berths of PTT LNG Company Limited because they were used for transferring goods classified as dangerous goods and high value, and the cargo ships were large-sized and had a high deadweight tonnage which was difficult for navigation. The water course in the area of the Sattahip Commercial Port is 2.1 kilometers long, 230 meters wide and 13 meters deep. The seabed at the front of the port is muddy sand. The height of the front of the port measured from the port periphery at the lowest sea level is 3.5 meters. There are navigation signs according to the international standard. In case of problems, obstacles and factors affecting navigation, there is only the problem of strong wind waves because it is the port in the open sea, the water course occurred naturally without digging the water course, the current level is difficult to control and navigation in the nighttime should be avoided.