Handling Boat in Tsunami ??

[Planty]

Haven't seen too much on News about people returning to shore having ridden out what seems a mind blowing disaster. Obviously toward the epicentre, if on a leisure craft, pretty much a no hoper, but at points further away seems possibly survivable, given experience and proper handling ???

In circumstances similar to this what would people here abouts do to handle such a vessel caught by a single large wave approaching at speed. (apart from sticking your head between your legs and kissing your ass goodbye) Can't imagine how frightening this would be, but interested to know thoughts. Is it just get the bow perpendicular to the wave? Throttle back, forward, crew forward, astern, drogues out etc. etc.??? Paul

 

[Roy]

Hey Paul...... betcha if you put this question onto s/butt, you will get some choice answers but none about tsunamis!? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[whisper]

Not sure that it would necessarily be a "no-hoper" near the epicentre. Think it would depend on the depth of the water. Allegedly if you are in very deep water the wave is not likely to be very dangerous.
Can't see that you can do anything more than head into it at displacement speed but fast enough to ensure you climb the face of it. I imagine that this gets more difficult as the wave gets steeper as the depth gets shallower.

 

[Planty]

Absolutely !! LOL

 

[PGD]

Understand where you're comming from, but i don't think you'll get the answer you want on here.

Sky News have some interesting footage on TV at present of boats in the high waves.

 

[paulineb]

Would it not be wiser to leave the boat where it is and claim on your insurance ?

 

[Talbot]

There are some reports from boat owners on http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=424 - You may need to log on if not already a member of that forum.

 

[Moose]

Act of God?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

In deep water you would hardly notice the tsunami wave. It would be a fast moving swell only a few centimetres high. It is only when the wave reaches shallow water that it builds up to a large wave so how serious the tsunami is for your boat depends on where you are
Generally speaking, point the bow towards the wave, throttle back to minimum speed and pray is about the best you could do, I guess

 

[fellatthelast]

You won't believe what the raggie types get up to! Here's an excerpt from 48North.com:

Tsunamis
      Tsunamis — also known as "tidal waves""— are a frequent source of disappointment for the severe weather sailor. If you catch a good tsunami out in deep water it will usually pass right under the boat without even a good splash.
      My advice? If you know a tsunami is approaching, steer your boat into the shallowest water you can and point the bow out to sea. Then just wait for the fun to begin.
      The first sign of a good tsunami is a rush of water away from shore. A minus 150 foot tide is not uncommon, so have your camera ready. You'll usually see some fascinating underwater features that are rarely visible from the surface.
      Don't worry too much about the depth of water under your keel. As the sea retreats from the shore, your boat will be carried away from the shoals with an invigorating speed. Trim your sails to take advantage of the relative wind. You'll generally want those sails as tight and flat as possible to keep them from luffing as you zoom offshore at 30 to 40 knots.
      As you accelerate out to sea, you'll eventually come up on the face of the actual wave. Don't be concerned by it's apparent sizeÉpeople often over-estimate the size of waves. It may seem to be hundreds of feet tall but in fact a tsunami is rarely more than 85 feet above mean sea level.
      Your bow will start to rise as you first encounter the leading edge of the breaking mountain of water. Alter course slightly to avoid hitting the wave straight on. You'll find you get a more comfortable ride if you take waves on the front quarter, and this can be especially important when approaching a breaking wave the size of a 10-story building.
      As the deep green/black face of the tremendous wave picks you up, watch your helmsmanship. Don't allow the thousands of tons of collapsing angry water to get behind you or you may lose control of the boat. This is no time for a broach!
      Ride up the face of the wave, and remember to adjust your sails as you lose the relative wind. You'll need to slowly, steadily ease the sheets as the boat slows near the top of the colossal torrent of heaped-up icy green death.
      Now here's a little trick that can save you some embarrassment. Just as the boat tops the wave, duck your face behind the dodger. The bow is going to drop onto the backside of the crest, and darn it if it won't throw a bucket of spray right at you if you're not careful.

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Lunacy!

Don't think my 25ft Regal would aprecciate an 85ft wave on the front quarter!!

Your mileage may vary!!

Rossi

 

[rhythmstix]

It's behind us now, but I keep running into these kinds of questions. I was there on my boat rhythm stick when the waves came in and I have posted our experience on our site at http://www.rhythm-stick.com/article3.html
Please contact me if you want more infos on the situation today, seems that there is more interest in Iraq than anything else happening in this world

 

[mjf]

I think i would put the wave just off the bow and hope to kind of roll over the top of it with power up the slope and ease off once crested.

Like Fellatthelast says I do not think my boat or crew would particularly appreciate a 85ft tidal wave - makes the eyes water

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Tsunamis vary so much

The wave formations vary with the type of sea bed disruption. The Indian ocean version would have favoured the sailor in the epicentre or not far from it. The recorded speed at 500 mph is frightening, but what you actually get is a very long period wave of only 6 inches high with the back (or trailing edge 6 inches) trailing after by a few hundred yards. The resultant bump is nothing. Closer to shore, where the water shoals, the amount of water contained in the area front to back, heaps up and is in fact collossal. The speed slows and the wave height increases correspondingly. This period is usually preceded by a large withdrawal of water from the shoreline. But as I said at the beginning - they ain't all like that.

 

[hlb]

As said. The job would be, having of course learned of the threat soon enough. Head out to sea, deap water. Where the wave would be of little concequence. Maybe not even noticed. Course you would have had to know it's coming and be suitably fueled up in the first place!!