Radar and Phosphorescence at Sea

Abstract

THE idea of ship-borne radar stimulating phosphorescence in the sea was first put forward by Captain F. G. Baker of M.V. British Premier in the Marine Observer (October 1952). The next case was the S.S. Strathmore, Captain J. M. Plaice, in the same journal (January 1954). This ship saw patches of light which flashed about once a second, though there was none of the usual small specks of phosphorescence in the ship's wake or bow wave. When the radar was switched off, the patches near the ship faded out, though some distant ones were still faintly visible. On switching the radar on again, the patches reappeared near the ship, but less brightly, and soon disappeared altogether. These reports were referred to authorities in England, including the Naval Weather Service and the Institute of Navigation. Their opinion was that it was most unlikely that radar could stimulate any phosphorescence in the sea, but invited more reports.