Calmness

( Absolute ) no wind, also called doldrums, called on the Beaufort scale to zero size, the absence of any wind.

Formation

Since sea and swell caused by the wind, they go for lengthy lulls back (initially the seas, until much later the swell, provided also in related areas there is no wind ) and water surfaces can eventually become a mirror finish. On smaller water areas where there is no swell (ponds, lakes, protected bays, etc.), this effect accordingly provides a much faster and more often.

Prolonged downturns on the water was still a major problem for sailing ships, especially on the open sea; often spoiled the food and water supplies came to an end, what then meant illness or death for a large part of the team. Of announce today shanties, eg Hamborger Veermaster or we lay off Madagascar. A terrible slump describes Joseph Conrad in the story The shadow line.

First remedy is created by the use of rowers in antiquity - until modern times, was this the only alternative drive to the lake and only with the help of the engines, the situation changed radically.

Today, at sea, almost every yacht and each multi master at least one auxiliary motor, which is Significantly, often known colloquially as doldrums slide.

Relative calm (ie, absence of the apparent wind ) prevails at every movement in wind direction with wind speed, so also include boats that travel at light tail wind ( at the same speed ) under engine. Set on sailboats in light tailwind supportive of the motor can be used, reducing the apparent (ie, perceived on the boat ) the wind and thus the sail power required for the "relative calm " finally at zero accordingly; in this case the boat is ultimately completely under engine power, with a correspondingly high fuel consumption, since the sails are ineffective due to lack of wind.

Special wind zones:

• The horse latitudes between the trade areas and the west wind regions of the northern and southern hemispheres
• Calmen, windless areas around the equator