Surface wave attenuation apparatus

An apparatus for providing a calm mooring area on a sea surface, said sea surface having waves moving thereon, said apparatus comprising a wave attenuating structure that includes:

• (a) a generally dome-like shell for causing said waves to break, said shell being configured to refract said waves so that the waves after breaking flow along said shell toward a central opening at its apex;
• (b) guide vanes secured to said shell for directing said breaking waves into said central opening to induce a downward vortical flow of sea water through said central opening;
• (c) a standpipe having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being attached to said shell circumjacent said central opening, the outlet end extending into a region beneath said shell into which said downward flow of sea water is discharged;
• (d) diffuser means attached to said outlet end of said standpipe for diffusing said sea water discharged from said standpipe into said region beneath said shell;
• (e) tethering means for securing said shell in a partially submerged position with respect to said sea surface, said tethering means permitting random orientation of said shell with respect to said waves moving on said sea surface;
• and
• (f) a fin-like member secured to said shell for providing a selected orientation for said shell with respect to the movement of said waves on said sea surface, said selected orientation being such that sea wave pressure is substantially equal on each side of said fin-like member, thereby providing a region of relatively calm water adjacent said fin-like member, said calm water region being said calm mooring area.