A number of recent improvements in a higher-order three-dimensional (3
D) panel method for highly nonlinear free surface wave simulations is
discussed. Special attention is paid to grid evolution techniques, and
stability of the time-dependent problem. Due to the improvements, sta
ble and accurate results can be obtained for linear and highly nonline
ar wave problems. Although no artificial smoothing is applied, even ex
treme problems like the development of breaking waves in a 3D configur
ation can be simulated. The computer code has been specially developed
for implementation on a vector computer. The program is highly vector
ized, and use is made of mathematical libraries for acceptable CPU-tim
es.