USCG Exam PracticeTides and currents — predictions and corrections
A vessel is steering 045°T at 10 knots. A tidal current is setting 180°T at 2 knots. Using the current vector triangle, the course made good will be:
- ✓ South of the steered course because the current is setting the vessel toward 180°TCorrect
- B. Identical to the steered course because tidal currents reverse with the tide
- C. North of the steered course because the current is adding speed
- D. East of the steered course because the current opposes forward motion
Why A is correct
Bowditch Ch. 24 §2402 states that course steered plus drift vector equals course made good. A current setting 180°T (southward) will displace the vessel to the south of the intended track, so the course made good will be south of 045°T. Bowditch Ch. 24 §2401 confirms tidal currents reverse with the tide but does not eliminate their effect at any given moment.