Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Why is it safer to travel into the wind and seas than at an angel across the direction?

In strong storms at sea, ships often alter their course for safety reasons. They will travel directly into the direction from which the waves and wind are coming from, even if this is not the direction they wanted to go in.



What I want to know is why is it safer to travel into the wind and seas than at an angle across the direction?

Help would be much appreciated!!! ^_^Why is it safer to travel into the wind and seas than at an angel across the direction?The waves will hit harder at particular angles. If you go at them at an angle you climb them slower kind of like climbing a hill at an angle. You have to walk farther but the climb is less difficult. I am not usually out in real rough seas, but I usually try to hit them at about a 45 degree angle but you can adjust the angle until it feels most comfortable.Why is it safer to travel into the wind and seas than at an angel across the direction?The logical answer would be that when traveling at an angle, your sails, masts, etc. would also catch the wind at an angle, greatly increasing the probability of your ship tipping over or capsizing.Why is it safer to travel into the wind and seas than at an angel across the direction?Imagine if you will the wave of a tsunami or stormfront.



The ship presents the least amount of surface area by heading directly into the storm. Essentially- the ship plows through the waves, as it is meant to do, only on a larger scale.



But if it presented it's full profile to the wave, then the wave is much more likely to capsize the ship as the waves now transmit their full force to the side of the ship.



And with a capsize, the ship is much more likely to sink.Why is it safer to travel into the wind and seas than at an angel across the direction?
Once the waves are actually breaking, (as in a severe

storm), their motion is no longer just up and down.

There is considerable laterally moving water.

The sharp bow of a ship can better withstand the impact,

than can the flat sides.

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