USCG Exam PracticeEstimated position from current set & drift
A vessel is steering 090°T at 10 knots through the water. A current with a set of 180°T and a drift of 2 knots is acting on the vessel. Using the current vector triangle, what is the effect on the vessel's track over the ground?
- A. The vessel will make good a course to the north of 090°T
- ✓ The vessel will make good a course to the south of 090°TCorrect
- C. The vessel's speed over ground will increase but the course made good will remain 090°T
- D. The vessel will make good a course to the west of 090°T
Why B is correct
Per Bowditch Ch. 23 §2302 and Ch. 24 §2402, the actual course over ground is the vector sum of the course steered and the current vector. A current setting 180°T (southward) will displace the vessel to the south, resulting in a course made good south of 090°T.