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Sea and Swell |
| SEA [in open sea] | ||
| Description | Height (metres) | Effect |
| Calm (glassy) | 0 | No waves breaking on beach |
| Calm (rippled) | 0 - 0.1 | No waves breaking on beach |
| Smooth | 0.1 - 0.5 | Slight waves breaking on beach |
| Slight | 0.5 - 1.25 | Waves rock buoys and small craft |
| Moderate | 1.25 - 2.5 | Sea becoming furrowed |
| Rough | 2.5 - 4 | Sea deeply furrowed |
| Very rough | 4-6 | Sea much disturbed with rollers having steep fronts |
| High | 6-9 | Sea much disturbed with rollers having steep fronts (damage to foreshore) |
| Very high | 9-14 | Towering seas |
| Phenomenal | over 14 | Precipitous seas (experienced only in cyclones) |
| SWELL | |||
| Description | Wave Length | Period | Wave Height |
| Low swell of short or average length | 0 - 200 m | Less than 11 sec | 0-2 m |
| Long, low swell | over 200 m | Greater than 11 sec | 0-2 m |
| Short swell of moderate height | 0-100 m | Less than 8 sec | 2-4 m |
| Average swell of moderate height | 100-200 m | Greater than 8 sec, less than 11 sec | 2-4 m |
| Long swell of moderate height | over 200 m | Greater than 11 sec | 2-4 m |
| Short heavy swell | 0-100 m | Less than 8 sec | over 4 m |
| Average length heavy swell | 100-200 m | Greater than 8 sec, less than 11 sec | over 4 m |
| Long heavy swell | over 200 m | Greater than 11 sec | over 4 m |
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