Question 787Navigation General

The correct answer is C) water depth exceeding 100 feet. The height of a wind-generated wave on mid-ocean waters is not affected by the water depth, as long as the depth exceeds 100 feet. This is because in deep water, the wave motion is limited to the upper layers of the water column, and the bottom has no influence on the wave characteristics. The wave height is primarily determined by the wind's velocity, the duration of the wind, and the fetch (the distance the wind blows over the water). Options A, B, and D are incorrect because these factors do affect the wave height, but the water depth beyond 100 feet does not.