Freak waves

[Sybarite]

I have just been watching a fascinating programme on TV ( a repeat of a Nov 2002 BBC programme) about freak waves. How could anyone confidently cross an ocean after this? Hit or miss.

I am sure this must have been commented on at the time so if the old timers will be patient ..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2002/freakwave.shtml

On a completely different scale I was reaching home last week in a F3/4 and the waves were no more than 2 or 3' high. Then one minute I had several inches of water running along the deck whatever way I hit the wave.

John



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[GeorgeP]

It's sad the things one starts to ponder on long passages. One of the things I've done is wave watching. There're always more than one set of waves, on different courses. When they go together they make bigger waves and offset they make smaller ones. Add to that a bit of wind over tide and some uneveness on the bottom of the sea... One minute there's nothing much and the next a wave appears out of nowhere to crash over the boat.

Surely there must be plenty of evidence from wave monitoring machines that this shouldn't be news? Having said that, still a fascinating article.

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[webcraft]

I had a freak wave to me once. I just waved right back.

- N

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[Bob]

Re: Freak waves - explanation

Indeed, a frightening thought. There is an interesting explanation about the freak waves (causes & avoidance) on the South African coast at:
http://www.cruiser.co.za/tony101.asp
about half-way down the page under "Abnormal Waves".


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[beneteau_305_553]

Perhaps we can survive the 20 to 30 m freak, cresting wave by being fully battened down when in 12 m waves (Force 8 ?) but likely to be rolled and de-masted!

Not just oceans but North Sea also. 12 m ocean swell so different to a storm wave.



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[Sybarite]

100 tons per m² - I don't think so. I think you just have to hope that like flooding, lightning strikes, avalanches and earthquakes you are just somewhere else when they happen.

John

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