The wake of a ship is the trail of waves that forms behind a vessel as it moves through the water. The wake is important for several reasons: Navigation and Safety: The wake can affect other vessels, particularly smaller boats, which might struggle with stability in a large wake. Environmental Impact: In some sensitive environments, the wake from boats can cause erosion or disturb wildlife. Analytical Use: The characteristics of a wake can be used to analyze a vessel’s speed and the efficiency of its hull design.