Worse than Walkin' On Sunshine

August 1, 2014 2:29 PM

For an old North Sea hand, 40-foot waves, the kind that would terrify most of us, were nothing out of the ordinary. But the emergence from nowhere of a single wave that was more than twice as high as the others was exceptional. Warwick had encountered a rogue wave. When Good Waves Go Rogue
posted by Ghostride The Whip (18 comments total)

BBC Horizon has a(n over)dramatic documentary about rogue waves that's worth a watch if you can get past the "there is something out at sea terrorizing the world's shipping... a killer that defies all scientific understanding" narration.
posted by clawsoon at 2:37 PM on August 1, 2014

Very well written article that ends with a wall of cold water.
posted by hat_eater at 2:44 PM on August 1, 2014 [12 favorites]

I recently subscribed to the print version of Nautilus, and it is a gorgeous delight.
posted by ikahime at 2:44 PM on August 1, 2014

The full article will appear in the Fall 2014 Nautilus Quarterly. Subscribe today!

nooo why
posted by elizardbits at 2:45 PM on August 1, 2014 [7 favorites]

So this isn't about the Google product?
posted by hippybear at 2:51 PM on August 1, 2014 [1 favorite]

Ah, hell, I missed the paywall. Sorry guys.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 2:51 PM on August 1, 2014

One of the boats on Deadliest Catch took a rogue wave. You can find the clip on youtube if you want to see what it was like. They were incredibly lucky.
posted by KathrynT at 2:55 PM on August 1, 2014 [5 favorites]

You mean you all don't get Nautilus Quarterly?
posted by 2bucksplus at 3:16 PM on August 1, 2014 [3 favorites]

I recently subscribed to the print version of Nautilus, and it is a gorgeous delight.

Plz post an audio link of yourself doing a dramatic reading of the rest of the article.
posted by elizardbits at 4:36 PM on August 1, 2014 [12 favorites]

2bucksplus: “You mean you all don't get Nautilus Quarterly?”

I did Jacobin instead.

“John Kretschmer's Darkest Hour at Sea,” John Kretschmer, Sail, 24 July 2014

Looking up, I saw the monster curling above the stern. It occupied most of my field of vision—it was the largest wave I had ever seen. It was a moment of complete clarity, and time slowed down as the wave began to break. I knew we were going to be crushed, and I wondered, coldly, objectively, if we would survive. I instinctively clutched the support rail on the side of the companionway and shouted, “Hold on.”

Cf. “Rogue waves,” Kimball Livingston, Sail, 06 October 2003
posted by ob1quixote at 7:27 PM on August 1, 2014 [3 favorites]

I've been offshore during heavy storms in the North Sea, on a semi submersible rig in the Norwegian sector. We had 35 ft waves with random higher ones, everyone was confined to the accommodation block as the decks were being swept regularly by the waves. It was one of the most unsettling nights I've ever spent.

You think that big semis are immune to bad weather, then you remember the Ocean Ranger.
posted by arcticseal at 8:09 PM on August 1, 2014 [3 favorites]

Speaking of waves, the Arctic ocean just had its biggest measured wave yet. 5m in height. The Arctic traditionally doesn't have waves, what with being covered in ice... But a lot of the ice has melted now, and wave action threatens to radically accelerate the breakup of the remaining ice.

We are about to see climate change take off like a bat outta hell. The pending change in ocean currents is going to give us weather like we've never experienced. Our farms and cities are completely unprepared for this.

I predict that within two years, we experience North America's first massive crop failures. We are fucked.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:34 PM on August 1, 2014 [2 favorites]

I predict that within two years, we experience North America's first massive crop failures.

You mean like the corn crop failure of 2012, caused by drought and high temperatures?

It's hardly the first massive crop failure, but it's certainly the first one which can possibly be traced to climate change. And it was pretty huge.
posted by hippybear at 3:51 PM on August 2, 2014

Anyone have recommendations for a good ocean charity I can donate to?
posted by limeonaire at 8:16 PM on August 2, 2014

limeonaire: “Anyone have recommendations for a good ocean charity I can donate to?”

The Cousteau Society's mission is “Educating people to understand, to love and to protect the water systems of the planet, marine and fresh water, for the well-being of future generations.”
posted by ob1quixote at 9:18 PM on August 2, 2014

Wasn't aware of it, hippybear. Didn't seem to have an impact on the HFCS industry. Didn't notice a shortage of crappy corn-based junk foods, nor even a shocking price increase.

I'm thinking freak weather wiping out 50+% of production huge. We're all gonna notice huge. Food riots huge. Shit hits the fan huge.
posted by five fresh fish at 2:16 AM on August 3, 2014

(bundle of joy that I am)
posted by five fresh fish at 2:16 AM on August 3, 2014

Plz post an audio link of yourself doing a dramatic reading of the rest of the article.

*Dusts off Audacity and rusty radio DJ voice*

Consider it done.
posted by ikahime at 8:44 AM on August 6, 2014 [1 favorite]