Freak Wave Prediction Based on the Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation

To explore a prediction method for freak waves, a theoretical derivation is given to calculate the eigenvalue of the nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation from measured wave height time history data based on the inverse scattering transform of the third-order nonlinear Schrodinger equation. The method further predicts the temporal and spatial evolution of the wave envelope. Based on the envelope prediction results, the spatiotemporal information for large wave occurrence can be obtained. The prediction results of this paper are compared with measured wave trains to verify the validity and accuracy of the method. This method gives a new technical approach for providing large-wave warnings for ships or offshore platforms, as well as for finding periods for offshore operations under large wave conditions.