[11B3]

Strange that the US Navy (who is at sea 24/7/365) hasnt' reported any of these. (I know, they can't tell anyone.)

[Pookie Me]

Strange that the US Navy (who is at sea 24/7/365) hasnt' reported any of these. (I know, they can't tell anyone.)

Actually these rogue waves ARE out there, though I've never seen one sink anything. In 1987, the first ship I was on (USS O'CALLAHAN FF-1051)had a poor sailor out on the flight deck of my frigate, a rogue wave came, he was up to his waste in water. (ten feet above the waterline).

The second ship I was on one of our frigates in the squadron blew some boiler tubes, headed into Japan when a rogue wave caught two sailors on the fantail unawares and took both over the side, railing just broke the ribs of one, they never found the second.

Both occured in the middle of the day, no storms, just one nasty rogue wave. THE SEA IS A HARSH MISTRESS

Pookie & ME

[ExpatGator]

After a life at sea, as a commercial fisherman and a sailor in the U.S. Navy, I beg to differ with your disbelief.

I have seen 10 foot waves pop up out of nowhere on a day that the seas were only 3-4 foot. I've also seen 30 footers on days that the seas were running 10-15 foot. Luckily I have never seen any 80 footers when it was 40+ feet and rougher than a codsack (that's mariner talk for ya landlubbin' beach-huggers).

In my experience and, in relating the experiences of those who I have known (some who lost boats and/or crewmembers), rogues generally appear in areas where there are strong currents like the Gulfstream. A heavy sea running into or quartering into a strong current presents a likely scenario for a rogue. All indications are that the current slows some waves more than others and that two or more waves temporarily "get in step" with each others and significantly increase the energy (SIZE) of the resulting short term wave. Research "The Northwall Effect" for a related topic.

P.S. The Navy may not have "reported" any of these waves but I assure that they accept them as fact. Perhaps the proof needed to convice you does not exist due to the short term nature of the phenomenon, but I am personally convinced, having witnessed rogues up close and personal.

[Edward Watson]

Actually, at a science conference in CA about 5 years ago where the possibility of creating large floating colonies on the equatorial ocean surface were discussed, one of the engineers (Phil) who was previously in the navy aboard a nuclear aircraft carrier (don't remember which one) related an incident that was positively scary. He described a huge wave that crashed into the ship and tilted it at a scary angle. He described the wave of being at least 60 ft tall - it may be more. I'm going to have to ask him if I ever see him again.

[GOPJ]

One person can be kept quiet, maybe 10, but a thousand in the US Navy? It's a stretch. You make a good point.

Strange that the US Navy (who is at sea 24/7/365) hasn't reported any of these.

[willyone]

Not true. On two occasions I know of the USS America CV-66 was struck by waves of this type resulting in damage to the ship. Pretty impressive when the starboard catwalk sixty five feet above the water is twisted by a wave.