Navigation General · Set & Drift

A vessel steers 060°T at 15 knots for 2 hours. The observed position shows the vessel is 6 nm north of the DR position. What is the set and drift of the current?

Explanation

The vessel is displaced 6 nm north of its DR over 2 hours. Set = direction toward which current flows = 000°T (north). Drift = displacement / time = 6 nm / 2 hr = 3.0 knots.

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

Practice the full Navigation General bank

Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.

Related Navigation General questions