One of the things a ship captain thinks about are the waves through which his or her ship will travel. This factor is considered when the size and shape of the ship are determined. A captain must be aware of the effects of both transverse and longitudinal waves. For example, most ships have a pointed front so that they can separate water particles (and thus disrupt the ocean waves), allowing the ship to move easily and safely through the ocean.

Can you think of another important factor that a captain should consider so that he or she can successfully combat the waves of the ocean?