GALE FORCE MARITIME WIND - THE FROYA DATA-BASE .1. SITES AND INSTRUMENTATION - REVIEW OF THE DATA-BASE

High quality wind turbulence data obtained with a sampling frequency of 1 Hz at exposed sites on the western coast of Norway are described. The data base is unique in the range of wind speed and freedom from flow distortion and represents a wide range of stability conditions and height levels above the sea surface. The study was designed to establish a description of maritime winds with emphasis on the needs defined by the design of compliant offshore structures. The major part of the data base was obtained on the small, flat and freely exposed islet Sletringen and provides profiles in the range 5-45 m. A unique part representing near-maritime conditions, was obtained from a triangle of masts with sensors in the height range 10-100 m and intermast distances of the order of 80-150 m. This part of the study was designed to study the 3-D structure of maritime turbulence. The present paper reviews in some detail site and instrumentation characteristics and efforts made to ensure a high quality data base. Also, an overall review of the data base is included. The data base has been analyzed extensively. The results will be presented in the future papers Part 2: Static maritime winds, and Part 3: Dynamic maritime winds.