  An algorithm to compute forces at the sea bed from a finite element solution
to the mild slope wave equation is devised in this work. The algorithm is best
considered as consisting of two logical parts: The first is concerned with the
computation of the derivatives to a finite element solution, given the
associated mesh; the second is a bi-quadratic least squares fit which serves to
model the sea bed locally in the vicinity of a node. The force at the sea bed
can be quantified in terms of either lift and drag, the likes of Stokes'
formula or traction. While the latter quantity is the most desireable, the
direct computation of tractions at the sea bed is controversial in the context
of the mild slope wave equation as a result of the irrotationality implied by
the use of potentials. This work ultimately envisages a ``Monte Carlo''
approach using wave induced forces to elucidate presently known heavy mineral
placer deposits and, consequently, to predict the existance of other deposits
which remain as yet undiscovered.
