Giant Waves: Origins, Simulation and Impacts on Ships and Platforms

The author describes the establishment of a world data bank related to ship accidents caused by freak and rogue waves, from which it has been learned that many of these accidents follow a similar pattern. It was not the highest waves but the most violently breaking waves that were the most damaging to the ships. Therefore, force models are presented that predict drag and lift, as well as the impact forces on the superstructures of ships impacted by such waves. Basic relevant definitions for violently breaking waves are provided, together with examples of major ship accidents. Examples of the coefficients that were used in force models and were obtained from full-scale sea trials, and those from laboratory experiments are also documented, and finally, results from capsizing experiments are detailed.