Statistical distribution of wave-induced drift for random ocean waves in finite water depth

Based on the linear random wave solutions of water wave equations in finite water depth, a theoretical statistical distribution of the wave-induced drift is derived. The parameters involved in the distribution can be determined by the water depth and the wave spectrum of ocean waves. As an illustrative example, we consider a simple wind-generated sea and the parameters are calculated for typical wind speeds and water depths by using Phillips spectrum. The behaviours of the distribution and the effects of wind speed and water depth on the distribution are investigated.