Freak Waves

[Bart]

Was anyone watching the documentary on UKtv last night on freak waves.

Now I know what Alan Priddy was talking about and how Spirit ran into trouble. The video footage was unbelievable. 35m waves appearing out of nowhere in a 3-5m sea.

Basically they explained a rogue wave as being an unstable linear wave which borrows energy from the two waves infront and the two waves behind. The rogue wave can rise the 30m+ for 20-30 minutes and then settle down again before starting the process again. The problem with borrowing energy from the waves in front is that it creates a trough up to 20m deep which makes the waves 50+ in reality.

The photographs of the damaged supertakers was unreal.

[Action Man]

Hi,

I have seen that programe befroe...preaty impressive. That ship with the whole of the Bow taken off is just awsome.

[pettal]

We seem to get them a lot over in Guernsey although not quite to that scale!!

It seems that the overfalls just off Guernsey seem to somehow create them, maybe wind, tide, sea state etc play a part and then push them out to sea.

I've been trotting along quite happily half a mile past the overfalls on an almost flat calm day and then out of nowhere a wave of around 10-12ft comes hurtling past!!

Quite unerving the first time it happens and your not expecting it! At first I thought I must have caught the wake of the Condor Wavepiercer but no other boats anywhere near.

I've had this four or five times during the past three years.

[swginn]

Seen that programme yesterday too. The wave coming over the bow of that ship and smashing the windows to come into the bridge is scary stuff. Its surreal to see the damage they are capable of. Some of the tankers were just torn in half as if they were made of paper!!

Great show, well worth watching!!

[The Bryster]

There's some interesting waves in Carrick Roads right now. 45kts SW with 10-12ft swell. My 4m SeaRider took it reasonably well heading to St.Mawes, although uncomfortable for the crew. Thought better of it for the return trip upwind and swapped into works Avon 5.6 Adventure 100hp 4stroke Yami). She handled it beautifully. Big sea, Big Rib i say.

[SimpleSimon]

Is it going to be on again