What is the true heading to steer outbound...

Question 1 of 2707066636eea28f7522a1c51b6e3

What is the true heading to steer outbound in Thimble Shoal Channel if your engines are turning for 8.0 knots, the current is 050°T at 1.0 knot and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

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Question 1 of 27070

What is the true heading to steer outbound in Thimble Shoal Channel if your engines are turning for 8.0 knots, the current is 050°T at 1.0 knot and a northerly wind causes 3° of leeway?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Current set and drift and how they affect course to steer • How leeway from wind changes your actual path over the ground • Difference between speed through the water (STW) and speed over ground (SOG) when current is present

💭 Think About

• Sketch a vector triangle with your intended track in Thimble Shoal Channel, the current vector, and the vessel’s through‑the‑water vector. Which side represents the heading to steer? • Ask yourself: does a current from 050°T push your vessel toward the left or right of your outbound channel track, and therefore should you steer more to the left or right to compensate? • A northerly wind (blowing from the north) causes leeway. Does that push you to the east or west in this area, and therefore should the leeway correction be added to or subtracted from your initial current correction?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the direction the current is setting (toward 050°T), not where it comes from. • Confirm that you are correcting first for current to get course to make good, and then adjusting that result for leeway due to wind. • After you pick a heading, mentally check: with current 050°T at 1 knot and a northerly wind, does that choice reasonably keep you centered in the outbound channel rather than setting you off to one side?