🔍 Key Concepts

• Vector addition of ship's heading and speed through the water with current set and drift • Using a current triangle or vector diagram to find course made good • Difference between heading (what you steer) and course over ground (what you actually make)

💭 Think About

• Sketch the ship’s motion vector on 160°T at 10 knots, then add the current vector of 210°T at 0.9 knots. In which direction does the current push the ship relative to her heading? • Is the current tending to push you more toward the east side or the west side of your intended track, and will that make your course made good numerically larger or smaller than 160°T? • Compare the strength of the current (0.9 knots) to your speed (10 knots). Should you expect a small change in course made good or a large one?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear that course made good is the resultant course over the ground, not the steered course. • Confirm the direction of the set (210°T): visualize it correctly on your diagram so you don’t reverse it. • Estimate whether the angle between 160°T and 210°T means the current is mostly pushing you sideways or mostly along your track; this should help you rule out options that change the course too much.