Can someone tell me about lights in the white wake of ships.?

Question

while in the navy , i noticed that at night, when the ship was really moving, in the white caps of the ship's wake i could see light green lights running, flying, or whatever you call it, through the wake. I have also seen it at the beach at night. I just want to know what it is.

Answer 1

It's phosphorous. The kinetic energy (movement) stirs up the phosphorous and makes it glow.

Answer 2

It's bioluminesence caused by algae and plankton .Even fish swimming through the water can cause it.

Answer 3

Phosphorus.  It is abundant in water that is usually warmer, when disturbed, it will send off an eerie glow.  Our best experience was at anchor near Palm Shores Florida one night.  As we drained our dish water, it left a lighted trail in the surrounding water, we could see fish and dolphins under the water around our boat, quite a show.

Answer 4

I've always been told that they are jellyfish-like creatures that are glowing. It could just be regular jellyfish reflecting light too, I suppose!

Answer 5

I believe what your seeing is what some people call USO's in which are coming from the crack in the earth out to attack all of those that own radioactive ooze. We see them in white caps because they absolutely love being run over by boats.

Anyways, they are plankton that glow when they are disturbed

Answer 6

I second Nick's explanation. I live on the Gulf of Mexico and have been told this by old timers.

Answer 7

much smaller than jelly fish are sea creatures called "plankton." When disturbed in the water they will glow and this is what you saw in the wake or at the beach.