secche

Secche is the plural of secca in Italian and commonly refers to underwater shoals or rocky outcrops that lie at or near the seabed. In nautical usage, a secca is a shallow, often rocky feature that can pose a hazard to vessels, especially for ships passing through channels, harbours, or coastal straits. Secche can consist of rocks, reefs, sandbanks, or gravel beds and may be submerged at high tide and exposed at low tide depending on local conditions.

Hydrographic charts and nautical publications mark secche to warn mariners and to indicate safe passages. The depth over a secca can change with tides, weather, and sediment movement, so accurate sounding and up-to-date surveys are important for safe navigation. Secche also influence marine ecosystems by affecting currents, sediment deposition, and habitats for various species; divers and fishermen may use knowledge of secche to locate underwater features or fishing grounds.

Toponymically, Secca and Secche appear as geographic names in some Italian coastal areas, reflecting local shallow underwater features. The term is primarily used in Italian maritime contexts and in regional place names; it is not a standardized term in English outside of direct translation of Italian sources.