NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Glowing Sea Surface
From: Bob Batten
Date: 2003 Nov 10, 09:07 -0500
From: Bob Batten
Date: 2003 Nov 10, 09:07 -0500
Trevor, This is not a direct answer to your question, but I have often observed (as I'm sure most mariners have) a glowing bow wave at night while in salt water. During the last two summers we cruised from the St Lawrence River, through the Northumberland Strait, and south along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia and I have frequently noticed a similar glow on other breaking waves during brisk weather at night. Maybe all it takes is a good stirring of the water for it to glow? I have always presumed it was phosphorescence. I haven't seen it across such an extensive area as you describe, though. We were probably not too far from your place. We spent a week at the Armdale Yacht Club on the Northwest Arm near Halifax. Best Regards. Bob Batten S/V Omnity, a Crealock 37 currently in Sommes Sound, Maine home port is Waterford, Michigan -- near Detroit