CATWAT


  1. breaker: a wave breaking on the shore, over a reef, etc. Breakers may be roughly classified into three kinds, although the categories may overlap: spilling breakers break gradually over a considerable distance; plunging breakers tend to curl over and break with a crash; and surging breakers peak up, but then instead of spilling or plunging they surge up on the beach face. The French word 'brisant' is also used for the obstacle causing the breaking of the wave. (IHO Dictionary, S-32, 5th Edition, 540)
  2. eddies: circular movements of water usually formed where currents pass obstructions, between two adjacent currents flowing counter to each other, or along the edge of a permanent current. (IHO Dictionary, S-32, 5th Edition, 1560)
  3. overfalls: short, breaking waves occurring when a strong current passes over a shoal or other submarine obstruction or meets a contrary current or wind. (IHO Dictionary, S-32, 5th Edition, 3631)
  4. tide rips: small waves formed on the surface of water by the meeting of opposing tidal currents or by a tidal current crossing an irregular bottom. (IHO Dictionary, S-32, 5th Edition, 5494)
  5. bombora: a wave that forms over a submerged offshore reef or rock, sometimes (in very calm weather or at high tide) nearly swelling but in other conditions breaking heavily and producing a dangerous stretch of broken water; the reef or rock itself. Also called bumbora or bomborah. (Australian National Dictionary)