Water wave kinematics is a central field of study in ocean and coastal engineering. The wave forces on structures as well as sand erosion both on coastlines and in the ocean are to a large extent governed by the local distribution of velocities and accelerations of the water particles. Our knowledge of waves has generally been derived from measurements of the water surface elevations. The reason for this is that the surface elevations have been of primary interest and fairly cheap and reliable instruments have been developed for such measurements. The water wave kinematics has then been derived from the surface elevation information by various theories. However. the different theories for the calculation of water particle velocities and acceleration have turned out to give significant differences in the calculated responses of structures. In recent years new measurement techniques have made it possible to make accurate velocity measurements. Hence. the editors deemed it to be useful to bring together a group of experts working actively as researchers in the field of water wave kinematics. These experts included theoreticians as well as experimentalists on wave kinematics. It was also deemed useful to include experts on the response of structures to have their views from a structural engineering point of view on what information is really needed on water wave kinematics.

A marine engineer will need to have a broad background of knowledge within several aspects of marine design and operations. These aspects relate to the design of facilities for offshore applications and evaluation of operational conditions for marine installation and modification/maintenance works. Such needs arise in the marine industries, in the offshore oil and gas industry as well as in the offshore renewable industry.Developed from knowledge gained throughout the author's engineering career, this book covers several of the themes where engineers need knowledge and also serves as a teaser for those who will go into more depth on the different thematic aspects discussed. Details of qualitative risk analysis, which is considered an excellent tool to identify risks in marine operations, are also included.The book is the author's attempt to develop a text for those in marine engineering science who like a practical and solid mathematical approach to marine engineering.It is the intention that the book can serve as an introductory textbook for master degree courses in marine sciences and be of inspiration for teachers who will extend the course into specialisation courses on stability of vessels, higher order wave analysis, nonlinear motions of vessels, arctic offshore engineering, etc. The book could also serve as a handbook for PhD students and researchers who need a handy introduction to solving marine technology related problems.