DETERMINATION OF EXTREME SEAS ENCOUNTERED BY OPERATIONAL SHIPS

The storm that swept the eastern portion of the United States in March 1993 was referred to in the press as the Blizzard of '93. Naval ships encountering heavy seas in the area between Norfolk and Bermuda reported damage as a result of wave action, but continued their transit without incident and with full mission capability intact. In order to investigate the damage, it was necessary to determine what the encountered wave conditions were. Because the probable time of damage was at night, with no visual observations available, as well as because of the large variations in reported conditions, it was decided that other methods would be investigated to determine the actual conditions encountered. Four data sources were used in an attempt to determine the encountered wave conditions. This paper describes the data sources, the comparison of the data, and the conclusion that, while severe, the conditions are not likely to represent the lifetime maximum for design.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Naval Engrs J, v 107 n 3, May 1995, p 197 [19 p, 24 ref, 3 tab, 20 fig]
• Authors:
  • Zahn, P B
  • Grim, M
• Publication Date: 1995

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Wave height
• Old TRIS Terms: Rough seas; Wave data
• Subject Areas: Hydraulics and Hydrology; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00717003
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 4 1996 12:00AM