State-of-the-Art of Wave Measurement for Ship Motion Prediction

Ship motion prediction is useful for several purposes, related to navigation or to special operations. For instance the short-term predictions, perhaps a few seconds ahead, is important to help helicopter pilots when landing on ships. This paper reviews technologies for wave height measurement in order to predict ship motion. Two main philosophies are distinguished: one looks to distant incoming waves to get more prediction time, the other points downwards near the bow. Radar is a key technology, and in particular X-band radar: new relevant developments are taking place in this direction.