Modelling distributions of significant wave height

The paper discusses the use of distribution functions in the description of the long-term behaviour of significant wave height data. It is shown by an example that the usual goodness-of-fit diagnostics do not ensure correct p redictions of return values based on arbitrary statistical models. The poss ibility of defining populations of significant wave height and their associ ated sampling reference periods is investigated, and it is concluded that s amples associated with the same reference period are subject to a significa nt statistical variability. A method for describing the long-term behaviour of H-s that accounts for this variability is proposed. (C) 2000 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.