Mauricio PORRAZ J.L. - Vice President Academy of Coastal Development Mexico D.F., Mexico

In the well known tourist resort of Cancun, several severe tropical storms have hit the coast since the time it was developed in the mid Seventies. These have caused considerable damage to the beaches removing huge amounts of sand, leaving the rock outcrops behind them, which is detrimental to the tourist industry. After careful analysis of different alternatives presented to the Mexican Authorities, green light was given for constructing offshore submerged artificial reefs (detached breakwaters) using special big pervious textile containers filled directly on site with sand, which have been patented as Sandtainers(R). Different patterns were carefully studied, both on the drawing board as in the field, so as to ensure that results would be successful and economical. The paper presents the technology involved, design considerations and results, which can prove very useful for coastal engineers