Now we know that rogue waves are simply a consequence of the probability of wave forms piling up on each other in response to atmospheric, and sometimes tectonic movements. We usually see just the small ones since they are very highly probable. We see the 75 to 120 foot high monsters every now and then of course, and the 50 footers that took out this little boats mast more frequently ~ but not every day.
You stay at sea long enough in the right latitudes you will eventually see giant waves.
Thanks for the correction. “Rogue wave” is correct, freak wave is incorrect.
My only excuse is I am late for my lunch coffee.
;-)
Such waves, by the way, are why I dropped the idea of building a large sail boat.
I’d rather fly over and look down for a place to land. Oddly, I nearly lost a SeaBee to a rogue wave when attempting to take off from Anguila’s SE coast cove.
What was a constant sea of about 2.5/3 feet served up a 5 foot wave just before I lifted off. Slamming through the larger wave reconfigured the bow places, removed both windshields and the front door. It also damaged the port float strut. But, we eventually did fly home, thanks to the Coast Guard, some help from other SeaBee pilots, and the generosity of the Cuban govt. who came ashore while we were gone but went back to their patrol boat without taking anything.
Rogue waves can occur anywhere, even on a protected place like the Cay Sal Bank.