"A wave is a transfer of energy from one point to another without transfer of matter." (Walding Et Al, 1999) Waves that require the propagation of matter are called mechanical waves; while electromagnetic waves include those that do not require matter to propagate. (Walding Et Al, 1999) Mechanical waves can be further divided into two sub-branches: longitudinal and transverse waves. Longitudinal waves occur when the particles of matter used by the wave to propagate vibrate parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave. (Nave, 2014) Transverse waves occur when this vibration is perpendicular to the direction of propagation, as shown in figure 1. (Nave, 2014) Waves are made up of many distinctive characteristics: wavelength, amplitude, frequency and period . Wavelength (λ) is defined as the distance between two consecutive points on the wave that are in phase. (optushome, 2014) “Amplitude (A) is the maximum vertical distance a particle is displaced from equilibrium.” (sengpielaudio, 2014) “The amount of energy carried by a wave is related to the amplitude of the wave. A high-energy wave is characterized by a high amplitude; a low energy wave is characterized by low amplitude.” (The Physics Classroom, 2014) The frequency (f) is the number of cycles of the wave passing per second, and the period (T) is the time required per cycle. Figure 2 illustrates these characteristics. (optushome, 2014)The equations for frequency and period are below:T= 1/ff= 1/TLThe wave equation defines the relationship between speed (v), frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and period (T). (The Physics Classroom, 2014) It is expressed as: v= λ/T or v= 1λ/T or v= λfWhen two waves intersect, the interference process occurs; with cons...... middle of paper ......optimal levels of wave attenuation - through means of refraction and energy absorption; regarding the formation of safe harbors and beaches. Hypothesis That, floating breakwaters will produce optimal levels of wave attenuation as pose for submerged breakwaters. This is due to the fact that the floating pontoon physically comes into contact with the waves and absorbs the wave energy with part of the wave still passing under the barrier, like a pose for the submerged wave which only induces breakage of the wave. However, if the submerged breakwater is at a height very close to the still water level, it will produce optimal wave attenuation due to large energy absorption, as occurs when the floating breakwater has a relatively small width compared to the wavelength. This is because submerged breakwaters are less effective when their height is small.