USCG Exam PracticeCourse to steer to compensate for current
A vessel departs a fix at 0800 steering 045°T at 10 knots. Current is setting 270°T at 3 knots. At 1000 the navigator plots the DR position and then constructs an EP. Which of the following correctly describes the EP relative to the DR position?
- ✓ The EP is displaced 6 nautical miles in the direction 270°T from the DR positionCorrect
- B. The EP is displaced 3 nautical miles in the direction 090°T from the DR position
- C. The EP coincides with the DR position because current is already included in the DR plot
- D. The EP is displaced 6 nautical miles in the direction 090°T from the DR position
Why A is correct
The DR position ignores current. To obtain the EP, the navigator lays off the current's set (270°T) and drift (3 kn) for the elapsed time (2 hours = 6 NM) from the DR position. The EP is therefore 6 NM in the direction 270°T from the DR position.