🔍 Key Concepts

• Set and drift of current and how they affect your course made good versus course steered • The difference between a current acting from the side versus ahead/astern • How a constant current direction compares with a rotary current whose direction is always changing

💭 Think About

• Visualize your vessel’s track from above: in which choice would your actual path over the ground be pushed farthest off to the side of your intended track? • Think about which current direction changes your heading over ground the most, not just your speed made good • Ask yourself: when you correct for current on a chart, which type of current requires the largest course correction angle?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the difference between changing your speed along track and deflecting your track sideways • Identify which option causes a lateral displacement from your intended track that steadily builds up over time • Confirm that course made good is about your actual path over the ground, not just how fast you get there