Harbours

The IRCA operates the information system sjolag.is (waves.is in English). The website publishes weather information from weather stations located in selected lighthouses, as well as measurements obtained from 11 wave sensors located all around the country.

Projects related to harbour, and coastal research are divided into several sub-sections. Below is an overview regarding how recent projects are divided:

• Projects related to harbour changes, harbour expansion, including any subsequent influence it might have on the surrounding sea, etc.
• Monitoring, analysis, and forecasting of weather at sea. Included herein are updates to the sjólag website; sea level measurements in harbours; examination and analysis of previous flood conditions; wave maps and probability distribution of ocean waves, as well as software updates for tidal calculations and the motion of ships moored at dock all fall into this category.
• Protection against natural hazards: Inspection of littoral drift and land erosion; shaping the IRCA’s guidelines for ground level in low areas and the subsequent determination of a minimal ground level. Also included are tidal forecasts and flood investigation.
• Research projects concerning port structures and their designing, such as geotechnical research and analysing port electrification.
• Research and development, e.g. storm surge analysis to determine the minimal floor level for buildings situated on the coast (low areas.)

The IRCA manages the harbour fund (hafnarbótasjóður.) The fund finances state-supported construction and damage repair.

• The Harbour Fund finances construction in accordance with the parliament-approved transport plan in effect.
• The fund operates a department of research and development with a goal of supporting smaller ports in the countryside deemed important for the regional and industrial development of their surrounding area.
• The fund compensates for damages suffered by harbour structures that qualify for grants, as well as damages that cannot be fully compensated for through the relief fund, or due to provisions of the Act on Vessels on the limited liability of vessel operators.
• Sea defences are defences employed against tidal floods and land erosion suffered due to intrusion by the sea. Inhabited areas and areas with valuable structures or cultural heritage sites have priority when it comes to the construction of sea defences.

Translation key:

Stór fiskihöfn = Large fishing harbour
Meðalstór fiskihöfn = Medium sized fishing harbour
Bátahöfn = Port for vessels
Smábátahöfn = Port for small vessels