Fishing Boat Swamped at Porthleven

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Captn D

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A boat fishing close to the beach at Porthleven was swamped by a unexpected wave. One crew managed to scramble to the shore and the other was picked up by Culdrose search and rescue helicopter. See report here and pictures here. A lucky escape for both men.
 
It just shows, doesn't it - always expect the unexpected. A TV programme a while ago mentioned the fact that wave heights don't follow what were thought to be normal statistical patterns but more like those of quantum physics. A similar wave washed some kid off Lands End a few years ago I believe.
 
johnalison said:
It just shows, doesn't it - always expect the unexpected. A TV programme a while ago mentioned the fact that wave heights don't follow what were thought to be normal statistical patterns but more like those of quantum physics. A similar wave washed some kid off Lands End a few years ago I believe.
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This is correct and the use of Wavelet Analysis shows that freak waves have a very rapid response to changes in wind conditions. I have looked but failed to find a global chart from satellite measurements which shows waves over 10metres around oceans. It confirms that freak waves can occur in an apparently random way.
 
When you said "a boat fishing" - I was thinking of a Microplus or similar with an angler on board - but that is a full sized, licenced professional fishing boat - several tons of it, just broken in two! And I doubt that it would have been that close inshore either!
 
johnalison said:
It just shows, doesn't it - always expect the unexpected. A TV programme a while ago mentioned the fact that wave heights don't follow what were thought to be normal statistical patterns but more like those of quantum physics. A similar wave washed some kid off Lands End a few years ago I believe.
Click to expand...

I was in West Cornwall some years ago when a number of people were swept off the beach at Trebarwith Strand and three drowned.
 
Searush said:
When you said "a boat fishing" - I was thinking of a Microplus or similar with an angler on board - but that is a full sized, licenced professional fishing boat - several tons of it, just broken in two! And I doubt that it would have been that close inshore either!
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Looking at the pictures, I suspect they were just outside the normal surfline when they got hit. Area is shallow and renowned for big breaking waves. With the huge low out in the Atlantic its not surprising that a big un came in. when I used to surf i used to sit patiently out the back for one like that when there was such a low... and it always arrived ... eventually!
 
Freak Waves

johnalison said:
always expect the unexpected
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I think freak waves are usually caused by fast-moving traffic passing by offshore. Even if they are superimposed on a consistent wind-driven pattern the wake of a fast ship can throw in the freak now and again. I was demonstrated this on a flotilla trip in Yugoslavia (as was) when we were anchored for a lunch and a snorkel on a calm day when a tug went past in a hurry, no doubt to get to some disaster somewhere. I was on deck and saw the 2m wave coming but not in time to get the snorkellers out of danger. They were all swished about in the shallow rocky gully and all suffered scrapes and sea-urchin spines. I think the Lands End event was probably something similar.
 
geoffatstanpit said:
I think freak waves are usually caused by fast-moving traffic passing by offshore.
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Although this happens, and was thought to be the cause of deaths from a fast cat near Felixstowe, radar pictures of ocean waves shows that rogue waves occur all over the seas.

I would rate any wave as a freak if it were well outside the range of other waves in the area and the Porthleven wave appears to be in that class.
 
An observation. The boat has a line out on the starboard beam. If that line is taught it does make a vessel unstable. Anchor handling vessels have stern bollards plus some retaining device to hold the anchor line firmly fore and aft. I wonder how much this line contributed to holding her side down as the wave struck. Of course the wave would have had a significant effect without this line anyway.
 
I don't believe it was a rogue wave, just slightly bigger than normal one, which therefore started breaking further out, or possibly the boat drifted into the surf zone without noticing. You don't have to do much surfing to appreciate the power in even a small breaking wave. Luckily waves offshore don't pile up and break like that or we wouldn't enjoy sailing much.
 
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