This report describes a recently developed numerical method, known as the parabolic method, for computing wave transformations in coastal waters. This method has potential advantages over traditional ray tracing methods and has undergone rapid development since the late nineteen-seventies. A review of technical literature during this time is contained in the report, and present stage of development and future requirements are assessed. Some results are presented from a computational model based on the parabolic method which is being developed at Bristol University and Hydraulics Research Limited
