Temperature timeseries and idealized simulations of internal solitary waves colliding with the Grande-Anse wharf, Saguenay Fjord, Canada

In 2019, the Motor Vessel Jaeger Arrow collided with the Grande-Anse
Terminal wharf (Saguenay Fjord, Canada) during docking from unknown
causes. However, the timeline of the incident and the ship's behavior
during docking suggest that underwater waves may have caused the
collision. Data collected in 2023 using a camera and thermometers
confirmed that this area of the fjord regularly experiences underwater
waves with wavelengths ranging from 50 to 100 m, wave heights of 1 and 3
m, and periods of around 2 min. These waves frequently collide with and
reflect off the wharf, generating currents of 0.1 to 0.3 m s-1. Numerical
simulations further illustrate the interactions between the waves and the
wharf, highlighting regions near the wharf where wave-induced currents,
both inshore and offshore, occur, including areas with near-zero currents
that could create a false sense of calm conditions. Importantly, our
observations also revealed that large ships, such as the Jaeger Arrow, can
generate their own underwater waves, potentially compromising docking
operations. While we cannot definitively confirm that underwater waves
caused the incident involving the Jaeger Arrow, our study offers a
plausible explanation: the ship may have been caught in a wavetrain
reflecting off the wharf, leading to unpredictable movement during
docking. These results highlight the potential risks posed by underwater
waves to ship safety and maneuverability during docking operations, a
topic under-explored in existing scientific literature.