Sure, it works. Captain Hazelwood swears by it.

SBV

"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote in
message ...
Ive read a few accounts, mainly from around 1900, of
people using oil to
calm the seas.

In detail, the oil was usually some sort of fish oil, or
oil from a seal or
such and was put into a hessian bag or similar filled with
rags. The 'oil
bag' was then tied to the vessel and thrown overboard.
Ive only ever read
of it being done while hove to.

Has anyone ever seen or heard of this being done in modern
times? I really
cant understand the logic behind it or see what it would
to so calm seas....
any enlightenment welcomed ;-)

Shaun