United States Naval Academy Annapolis, Maryland

Vessel generated wake wash can lead to erosion of loose bank sediments and the destruction of fragile aquatic habitats. Although various studies have been done to quantify the magnitudes of boat wakes and their associated energy, there is yet to be a single model which can universally predict wave heights across different vessel sizes, boating speeds and hull forms. The goal of this study is thus to develop an updated equation model capable of predicting boatgenerated wave heights given a set of basic vessel parameters. While rigorous field testing can be conducted to increase the sample size of past studies, limitations due to cost and time usually makes it challenging to do so. In this study, a new method of conducting vessel wake studies using video observations will be proposed and evaluated. Using a remote web-based camera, vessel traffic along a section of the Severn River in Annapolis, MD, was recorded and subsequently processed using a newly developed vessel tracking tool. This tracking tool brings together computer vision techniques in MATLAB (Simulink) to track transiting vessels and obtain boat parameters usually investigated in vessel wake studies including 1) vessel length, 2) vessel speed, and 3) distance of its sailing line from the shore. When matched with wave records obtained using an underwater wave gage (Nortek AWAC), these measurements create a new database from which relationships between vessel size, boating speeds, and their associated maximum wave heights can be examined. The results of this study were used to generate a new family of improved equations for the purpose of developing a unified description of vessel generated waves. This study also revealed the viable prospect of a quick, low cost, but effective manner of conducting vessel wake