Wave power questions

As part of an engineering project in school I have been given the weekend to research the feasibility of wave power to supply electricity to an offshore barge which is used as a target for missile testing. The barge needs another means of electricity supply than mains; the power will be used to communicate with a command centre on the coast. My brief specifies a power source independent of mains, but also says that a renewable source would be preferred. Since the barge is out at sea, wave (or swell power, since you don't really get waves offshore) makes sense.
But I am at a loss as to where to start. Could someone give me some pointers, or even suggests a good way of translating the power of the waves into electrical power?
Or if there is a better way to power an unmanned barge like this, I would be very grateful to hear that as well.

ajf wrote:

As part of an engineering project in school I have been given the weekend to research the feasibility of wave power to supply electricity to an offshore barge which is used as a target for missile testing. The barge needs another means of electricity supply than mains; the power will be used to communicate with a command centre on the coast.

How much power?

Since the barge is out at sea, wave (or swell power, since you don't really get waves offshore) makes sense.
But I am at a loss as to where to start. Could someone give me some pointers, or even suggests a good way of translating the power of the waves into electrical power?

How about tide power? How many feet per day? If the barge is anchored, you might snug up a stretchy rope to the bottom at low tide and let it turn a generator shaft in a rising tide, or fill an onboard tank in a rising tide, pulling harder on the anchor, then let it run out through a small hydro system as the tide falls.

Or if there is a better way to power an unmanned barge like this, I would be very grateful to hear that as well.

Pedalpower with on-board solar consultant George Ghio?
Nick