Wave Parameter Exercises
Look at the image provided and estimate the height of the wave using the techniques illustrated on the previous page. Choose the best answer.
The correct answer is c).
If a 6-foot tall person stood in those waves, the waves would likely rise to about a foot above his or her hips.
Take a look at this video and estimate the height of the wave using the technique mentioned above. Remember that you should look out to a distance of at least 50 feet or more to where the ship is no longer affecting the waves.
You can estimate the wind wave heights to be between 1-2 ft and the swell wave heights to be between 3 and 4 feet. If you thought that it was difficult to estimate the wave heights, you are correct. This video was from the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge tens of feet above the water. The higher you are on the ship the harder it will be to estimate the wave height. So the estimates above may not be quite as accurate. It is very important to make the sea conditions observation from the lowest part of the ship that you can access.
You observe the waves for enough time to watch 12 crests pass your height reference point. You estimate the wave heights in feet as 4, 6, 4, 7, 6, 5, 7, 7, 4, 3, 3, 4. What is the significant wave height? Choose the best answer.
The correct answer is c).
The significant wave height is the average height of the highest one-third of the waves. In this case, the significant wave height is the average of the four highest waves (6+7+7+7) / 4 = 6.75 feet.