GIANT Rogue wave hits an oil platform

Rogue waves - enormous, spontaneous surface waves in the open ocean - were once the tall tales of sailors. They are waves that reach 2-3x taller than the largest average waves in the area, reaching heights of 75 – 100ft. With the help of a ESA satellite survey, the scientific community now accepts they happen frequently. What causes rogue waves?



Creator: Dianna Cowern
Writer: Sophia Chen
Editor: Jabril Ashe
Animator: Kyle Norby

Resources:
Drauper oil platform wave recreation: BBC
Oil Platform footage: James Eaton
Crashing Wave/Boat Animation: DAAC
Rogue Wave simulation: Lev Kaplan, Tulane University

More resources:
Music: APM and YouTube

[georgetarbutton]

1983. . I was onboard the USS Carl Vinson . We went through hurricane David with a busted screw heading to Newport News for repair. When you see waves crashing over onto a deck of aircraft carrier. It humbles one to mother nature.

[larrycurrid]

My brother was sailing on the USS Saratoga in the early 80s. He told of a rogue wave that came across the deck of the carrier all the way up to the air boss deck of the carrier. Fortunately, the skipper knew to batten down everything because of the rough weather in the high seas. Minimal damage, but it did cause the keel to bend. he said he was scared to death

[tzebra]

These happen on lakes too. Back in the mid 70s we departed t he docks in front of our lake house. The water was smooth and we were joking about how nice it would be to ski that day, when out of nowhere we saw a wall of water, then were underwater, then popped back up on the surface. we made it back to the dock and decided on doing something else.

[scottwilliams]

I was on a rig un the Gulf 80 miles out right in the path of Hurricane Alicia. During the evacuation a small pipeline inspection helicopter sat down on our pad and couldn't leave. The wind had already destroyed the wind speed indicator and waves had washed away the equipment we tied down 20 feet above the water line. When the Sikorsky got there to evac us it couldn't land, not room. So we had to ride it out. That rig was swaying and vibrating so hard we thought it would come apart. Lightening kept hitting the flare boom adding to the excitement. Fire roaring out 15 or 20 feet. For almost 3 days I really thought it might be over.

[jenniferkleczka]

Fascinating. I am 71 I will be 72 in February and i really enjoy learning something new every day.

[vaakdemandante]

Rogue waves are a practical example of a resonance - few usual ripples come together for a while creating a huge wave, just to vanish a moment later when they part ways and shrink to their initial height.

[IntentionalQuintessence]

We're all supporting you, keep healing Diana!

[semperparatus]

I've been working at sea for over 25 years. I've only seen a Rouge three times. They do exist and they are deadly.

[justsoicanfingcomment]

The reason you don't have too many tails or recordings of rogue waves. Is because those who encounter them usually do not survive.

[azureprophet]

My dad hit one in Antarctica in 1962. 60 foot wave came out of nowhere, luckily they were able to put the bow first into it and the 200 foot ship was like suddenly being in a valley. It broke on the bow and the ship shuddered for what seemed like an eternity as the water drained off. If anyone had been on the deck they'd have died.

[BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo]

My grandfather told me about waves he encountered in The Pacific during WWII that were as tall as the control tower at The Long Beach California Airport. I didn’t believe him until I spent time far out in The Pacific and experienced them for myself.

[checkityhold]

It's hard to imagine the power of waves like that. That would definitely explain a lot of ship dissappearances. Please keep posting.

[Jesse-cwpv]

Her video on rogue waves is where I first learned about the details of rogue waves. It's a very good video and I forgot about it. I'm gonna rewatch it now

[kylehill]

I was in the US Navy on the bridge one day when we got one of these crazy rogue waves. It was weird, it was coming against the regular pattern of waves on a normal clear day with decent weather seas around 3-6 feet. Luckily it was smaller probably 15 feet tall and we were able to spot it just in time to change our course. I still have photos of the before, during and after. I ran to the lookout deck and pulled my flip phone took the photos. Our entire bow sank under water got on camera. We all wondered what would've happened if it caught us at night. These things are real and terrifying.

[warrenwattles]

I experienced one in a US Navy Frigate off the coast of South Carolina. We took it almost straight on the bow, but it still did some damage to equipment on the fo'c'sle.

[hilbert]

I used to sail on merchant ships as a third mate. I've seen waves 70 ft high from the trough to the peak in some hurricanes.

[davesup]

Get well, Dianna. You are a breath of fresh air in youtube videos, compared to most.

[MyDogmatix]

My grandfather told me a story of a rogue wave smashing his boat, mid Atlantic crossing. Told me about the sergeant in one of his units that had just gone out on deck for a smoke. Then he described the wave as it Smashed the boat ( he then made a big slap with one hand), showing how the unexpected wave made quick work of the sergeant who never got to the other side of the Atlantic.

[johncole]

Out on patrol in the Mediterranean ocean on CV-60 aircraft carrier after the midnight watch turnover, I was in my bunk located more aft when I was startled awake by a loud bell sounding crash. I found out a sea sparrow sponson almost 30’ above the waterline, was damaged by a rouge wave and what was most unusual was that we weren’t in rough seas at the time. I have much respect for the ocean

[northwestfreckles]

We are rooting for you both ❤ you've got this! I'm currently dealing with similar health issues and your story helped motivate me to find answers. I hope you find some relief and peace soon. Thank you for sharing with us ♡