Freak waves statistics measured off Brazil

Freaque wave statistics is analysed based on the data of South East coast of the Brazil. It is shown that such waves can be both due to linear and nonlinear dynamics. The wave climate in this area is very often dominated by a few uncorrelated wave systems and then the superposition of waves from different directions become likely. The available wave data was measured by wave buoys deployed off Rio de Janeiro State coast, where swell coming from the south are usually concomitant with northeast windsea generated by the South Atlantic anticyclone