How Does SHM Affect Apparent Weight on a Fish Scale in Water Waves?

[physicsnewb12]

Homework Statement

A man floating in water was spotted by fishermen on a boat. Before taking him on board, the man was put on a fish scale to see how much he weighed. The reading on the scale oscillated between 72kg and 178kg. The wave speed was measured to be 16 m/s. The wave height was 3 m, and distance between two wave crests was 4m.

Assuming the boat rocks up and down in perfect SHM, find the reading of the scale when the boat passes, on the way down trough the middle between the highest and lowest points. Answer in kg.

Homework Equations

x=Acos(wt) (A = amplitude)
V=λ*f
w=2pi*f (w = angular velocity)

The Attempt at a Solution

V=λ*f (V=16, λ=the distance between two crests = 4 meters)
so f = V/λ = 16/4 = 4 (also T=1/f so T=1/4)

w = 2pi*f
so w = 2pi * 4 = 25.13

I don't know what to do with this information...Please help me out. Exam is tomorrow.

 

[ehild]

Find the acceleration of the boat from the given parameters of the wave (speed, amplitude, wavelength). Then remember the apparent weight of a body in an accelerating system of reference.

ehild