People enjoying sea fishing on a breakwater or vessels berthed just
behind a breakwater may be exposed to significant flood risk due to
wave run-up and overtopping. Flood risks are anticipated to increase
in the future driven by projected increase of sea level, more intense
storms, and stronger wind speeds. In the East Coast of Korea, sixteen
people were killed by being swept away by high waves during 5 years
between 2005 and 2009: fourteen on breakwaters and two on the
rocks on the seashore. Occurrence of loss of life due to the hazardous
nature of wave overtopping is more likely, and coastal managers and
users are more aware of safety risks. There are needs to warn or
safeguard individuals potentially to overtopping waves on coastal
structures or seaside promenades, particularly as recent deaths in
many countries suggest significant lack of awareness of potential
dangers.