Having spent some time vacationing in Maine, I have heard several stories about rogue waves. There is something about the geography that makes this area susceptible to this phenomenon. Here is my swag on why.
Satellite studied have recorded the greatest instance of 80 foot and taller very sharp waves (rogue waves) in areas like the Cape of Good Hope, where ocean currents flow in the opposite direction of prevailing winds.
As far as Maine goes, and more specifically Penobscot Bay, where this occurred, the Labrador current flows into the Gulf of Maine. Several miles off the coast, there is ashelf where the depth drops off several hundred feet. The labrador current upwells there, and the whales love it because of all the nutrients it brings. From this upwelling, the current flows roughly in a westerly direction, which is in the opposite direction of prevailing westerlies.
Additionally, ther is the Gulf of Maine Gyre, which constantly rotates counter clockwise, part of which will always be in opposition to prevailing westerlies. Furthermore, the currents close to shore run "downeast" in a southwesterly direction, which can be opposite from prevailing winds.
