Navigation General · Set & Drift

A vessel steers 000°T at 10 knots for 2 hours. The observed position shows the vessel is 4 nm east of the DR position. What is the set and drift of the current?

Explanation

The vessel is displaced 4 nm east of its DR position over 2 hours. Set is the direction toward which the current flows = 090°T (east). Drift = displacement / time = 4 nm / 2 hr = 2.0 knots.

Authority: Bowditch (Pub. 9), Ch. 7

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