SHIPBOARD WAVE METER 
Sketchs 
(To be provided) 
Primary Use: 
This instrument will be utilized on oceanographic survey ships 
to measure and record the wave spectra in the oceanic areas for 
general survey and other purposes. 
Requirements and Specifications: 
a.» For use on board oceanographic survey ships in oceanic areas 
with ship “lying-to" or underway at slow speed (0-3 knots). 
b. It is desirable that this instrument operate without the 
necessity of immersing any sensors in the water, in order to reduce 
danger of deterioration of sensors or damage to the instrument. 
ce The instrument will be capable of being operated from inside 
a shipboard laboratory and will require no work on deck, except for 
preliminary calibrations and rigging the instrument for operation. 
There is to be no requirement to work on deck while measurements are 
being taken. 
d. The instrument should be so designed as to require minimum 
installation on the ship. In particular there shall be no require- 
ment for ship dry dock availability to install the gear. It is 
highly desirable that the instrument be capable of being moved from 
one ship to another with a minimum of effort. 
e. In high waves considerable spray is to be expected. The in- 
strument is to be so designed to withstand and minimize the effect 
of the spray- The instrument should be able to withstand total 
immersion. 
f. Amplitude: The instrument is to be capable of measuring the 
relative displacement of the sea surface from mean sea level with an 
allowable error of not more than +5%. It must be able to do this con- 
tinuously with minimum phase lag and small time constant. 
