Practice question

What is the fundamental difference between 'Wind Sea' (Mar de viento) and 'Swell' (Mar de leva / Mar de fondo), and which scale is used in Chilean maritime bulletins to classify the sea state (e.g. Marejada, Mar Gruesa)?

  1. Wind Sea is generated by local winds blowing in the immediate area; Swell consists of regular, long-period waves generated by distant weather systems that have traveled out of their generating area; classified using the Douglas Sea Scale
  2. Wind Sea is caused by underwater earthquakes; Swell is caused by vessel wakes; classified by the Richter scale
  3. Wind Sea occurs only at night; Swell occurs only during high tide; classified by the Kelvin scale
  4. Wind Sea has a period of over 20 seconds; Swell has a period of under 2 seconds; classified by the Fujita scale

Answer: A — Wind Sea is generated by local winds blowing in the immediate area; Swell consists of regular, long-period waves generated by distant weather systems that have traveled out of their generating area; classified using the Douglas Sea Scale

The correct answer is shown above. Try the full quiz for additional practice.

Practice more: Capitán Deportivo Costero (Chile) Practice Questions - Capitán Deportivo Costero - Licencia Deportiva Náutica de Directemar (Chile) Exam →