Results of the MAXWAVE project

Heavy sea states and severe weather conditions have caused the loss of more than 200 super carriers within the last 20 years. In many cases single 'rogue waves' of abnormal height as well as groups of extreme waves have been reported by crew members of such vessels. The European Project MAXWAVE deals with both theoretical aspects of extreme waves as well as new techniques to observe these waves using different remote sensing techniques. The final goal was to improve the understanding of the physical processes responsible for the generation of extreme waves and to identify geophysical conditions in which such waves are most likely to occur. New radar data were used to compile a census on wave statistics with respect to those extreme wave events and to improve prediction of such events. Several ship and offshore platform accidents are analysed and the impact on ship and offshore design is discussed.