The effects of the forebody geometry of ships on the response function of wave loads are investigated by numerical calculations based on a strip method. For the vertical wave loads both shearing forces and bending moments, the V-shaped bow gives greater responses than the U-shaped one in regular oblique waves. These results have been clarified by the vector diagram of all static and dynamic components contributing to the resultant wave bending moment. In the present evaluation the phase relation among the components plays an important role. And the effect of the forebody geometry on lateral wave loads seems to be negligible from the result of the present investigation.