Thanks for the comment, Jeff. It is indeed sloppy reporting
since I see the ESA website reports 200 supertankers and
container ships exceeding 200 meters in length were sunk in
the last two decades by severe weather!!! Quite a departure
from the CBC story.

On the other hand, ESA's study was based on only 3 weeks of
observation, during which they found ten waves above 25
meters. If their sample is unbiased, we would expect to see
about 170 such waves per year. Still an amazing number.

Chuck

Jeff wrote:
Thats a typically sloppy, exaggerated news report. The oft-cited ESA
report found 10 waves 25 meters or more and extrapolated from that.
Roughly 100 ships a year are sunk, and while rogue waves are the
possible cause of many, that's a long way from proving that such waves
"destroy 200 ships a year."




chuck wrote:

The following was excerpted from a CBC story on the cruise ship:

"According to its satellite surveillance, the European Space Agency
estimates 'rogue' waves can reach up to 35 metres high and destroy
about 200 ships a year."


Chuck



NOYB wrote:

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...

On 17 Apr 2005 08:07:02 -0700, wrote:


Expect a couple of familiar voices crying out that such waves don't
exist. :-)