Rotating Arm and Oblique Sea Basin

The oblique sea basin, one of only two of its kind in the United States, has a length of 75 feet, a breath of 75 feet and can support water depths as high as 5 feet. The facility which has been designated a historic mechanical engineering landmark, comes equipped with a moveable overhead rail which permits vehicles to be towed in oblique waves at speeds of up to 10 feet per second. The wave maker in the basin has the ability to generate both regular and irregular waves with heights up to seven inches.

The basin's most unusual but distinguishable feature is its rotating arm. This arm, with a 32 foot radius can accommodate test on vehicles moving at speeds from 0 to 50 feet per second. The arm enables researchers to obtain highly accurate information about the maneuverability of ships in both calm and rough seas.