One of the aspects least known by laymen in the field and that is important to take into account when carrying out sailing trips is the swell. The swell is not only important for how it affects navigation, but also has a great impact on marine ecology.
If you are thinking of going on a sailing trip and want to know more about the environment that will surround you, in this article you will find everything you need to know about the swell. The swell is also known as the swell and basically it is the movement of the waves that propagate outside the area where they have been generated.
Until a few years ago, the swell was one of the great mysteries of the sea. This is because it is possible for it to travel far away from where it was generated, which was a mystery to sailors of previous eras.
Nowadays we know that the waves of the swell have a regular period and also have gentle crests. Another of the characteristics that best defines them is that their wave is greater than their height, so they end up presenting themselves as rounded ridges that never break in the sea.
How the swell is produced and how it affects our navigation
Swell occurs through a combination of factors, wind strength, duration, and fetch. Wind strength is how fast the wind blows on the surface of the ocean, while duration is how long it blows without interruption. Fetch, on the other hand, is the distance that the wind travels on the surface of the sea without being interrupted by obstacles.
When the wind blows over the surface of the water, friction occurs and, as a result of this friction, energy is transferred from the wind to the water. This ends up causing an upward crest that eventually becomes a wave. When this phenomenon occurs over time and distance in a sustained way, a large amount of energy accumulates under the surface of the ocean. These traveling waves are capable of traveling thousands of kilometers and are known as waves.
This swell has a very negative effect on navigation. First of all, it makes it difficult to control the boat, especially when it is a small boat. Waves caused by the swell cause the boat to wobble, so it can affect both direction and speed as well as making it more difficult to dock the boat.
Finally, swells can also cause structural damage to the boat. Because waves can hit the boat, this marine phenomenon can cause damage below deck by also affecting the vessel’s equipment or its cargo.
How to sail safely in swells
First of all, it is very important to try to anticipate the weather conditions to really know that we are sailing or that we are going to sail with a swell, later we will see how you can know.
If you are going to sail with swells, it is important to sail with great caution. The first thing is that it is necessary to reduce the speed to facilitate the control of the boat. In order not to lose control, it is important to look for land as a reference since there is a risk of running aground or being overturned by the waves.
If the waves are strong, a recommended technique is to attack the waves by the bulwarks and try to keep the boat perpendicular to the waves. This serves to reduce the risk of dangerous heeling occurring. What should be completely avoided is breaking straight into the waves.
It is also important to avoid sudden manoeuvres and, in addition, it is recommended that the load is properly lashed or that any object is prevented from detaching or falling into the boat due to movement.
How do I know if there is a swell
There are many factors that can influence the swell. It is important to note that some nautical destinations are also more prone to them, so it is also important to know where you are traveling.
One of the aspects that can indicate that there is a swell is when the navigation becomes heavier. The boat moves arrhythmically and therefore generates a greater sensation of seasickness.
Swell waves are usually quite a bit longer than wind-generated waves, so it can also be an indication of swell. In addition, the presence of waves coming from a direction other than the local wind can also be an important indicator.
Finally, swell waves do not usually break. If you’re riding on waves that glide smoothly over the surface of the water and don’t break , you may be sailing with swells.
The Role of the Swell in Marine Ecology
The role of the swell in marine ecology is very important. For starters, this marine phenomenon helps distribute energy and nutrients throughout the oceans, helping to sustain populations of marine organisms in various areas.
Another of the most interesting aspects of the swell is that it helps to mix the waters of the oceans. Thanks to this phenomenon, nutrients are distributed much better and it also helps marine organisms to disperse on the high seas. Thanks to the swell, some marine species have an easier time colonizing certain areas that would take a long time to reach.
On the other hand, not all aspects of the swell are positive. Due to all the energy it carries in its wake, the swell can erode the seabed over time. This is quite negative for marine ecosystems since, as you can imagine, this erosion can wipe out various habitats and also cause the displacement of certain species.
Both positively and negatively, there is no doubt that the swell has a very important impact on marine ecology and it is important to understand this.
