An exceptionally high wave at the CNR-ISMAR oceanographic tower in the Northern Adriatic Sea.

On December 15, 2009, a very high wave crest was recorded by a local camera at the CNR-ISMAR oceanographic tower, 15 km offshore Venice in the Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy). The height of the estimated crest elevation appears well beyond the value (1,25·Hs) commonly used to identify a wave as freak. We document the wave event with a full description of the corresponding met-ocean conditions and related measurements, of which we provide a critical analysis.