Lesson 20: Set and Drift

Interestingly, the mere mention of the words Set and Drift strikes paralyzing fear
in the hearts of real and armchair mariners. The reality is that set and drift
problems are relatively easy to solve if one understands and correctly practices
the basic concepts learned so far.

In simple terms, current, when running, usually acts on a vessel moving it off
course. Therefore, as a vessel advances through the water, the vessel will be set
off in a certain direction by a current moving in a particular direction. This is
termed Set. The velocity in which the vessel is carried on the current is just called
Drift (drifting along with the current). Hence, current is the horizontal movement
of water and can be defined in terms of both direction and speed or just Set and
Drift.

Remember !

When calculating Set and Drift problems in here (or out there), make dog-gone
sure to determine SET in TRUE degrees. Always go to the compass rose with the
angle that you get starting at your “missed” DR position and going TOWARDS
the point or position your vessel actually ended up at, (ie, the 2nd fix). This is
SET.

DRIFT speed is determined by measuring the distance in nautical miles between

the same “missed” DR position and, again, the same position where you actually
ended up at, (ie, the 2nd fix). Work this distance from nautical miles up to speed
in knots by using the S = (D X 60) ÷ T formula.

Need to Know

1.The difference between the dead reckoning position and an accurate fix is the
result of the action of various forces on a boat, plus any errors introduced when
laying out course and speed.

2.Remember, a vessel can be moved from its intended course by the combination
of set and drift, as well as steering error. The results are often disastrous of not
corrected.

3.The direction in which the current is moving, or the direction a vessel is moved
by current is called set. Direction of set is expressed in true degrees.

4.A vessel set off course by wind and current. The speed of the current and the
speed in which a vessel is being set is called drift, and is expressed in knots.
Lesson 21: Set and Drift Problems

Use chart 12221, 9 degrees West Variation and the deviation table from Lesson
10-

1. At 1712 your loran set indicates a position of LAT 36°54.8'N, LONG 75°39.8'W.
You are on course 319° per magnetic compass at a speed of 9.9 knots. At 1800
your loran set indicates your position at LAT 37°00.0'N, LONG 75°45.8'W. What
were the set and drift?

A.087º T at 1.5 kt
B.267º T at 1.6 kt
C.262º T at 0.9 kt
D.093º T at 0.8 kt

1.Plot-label 1st Fix and note time

2.Plot-label DR Track Line in TRUE DEGRESS from 1st Fix, if given in degrees
PMC work up to true
3.Plot-label 2nd Fix and note time
4.Determine number of minutes between fixes
5.Using D=(SXT)/60 solve for DR run distance, plot, and label it “DR”
6.Find SET in TRUE DEGRESS 2nd Fix)(DR
7.Solve for DRIFT speed in knots S = (DX60)/T using distance in nm between
DR and 2nd Fix.

2. At 1119 your position is 36º 59.0’ N 075º 29.0’ W on a course of 270º T at 10.5
kt. At 1220 your position is 36º 58.5’ N 075º 43.9’ W. What is the set and drift?

A.026º at 0.7 kt
B.046º at 1.0 kt
C.220º at 0.9 kt
D.245º at 1.4 kt

3. On a ship’s heading of 088º PMC at a speed of 9.5 kt the 0754 position is 37º
01.0’ N 075º 46.0’ W. The 0900 position is 37º 01.6’ N 075º 31.0’ W. What is the
current?

A.122º T at 1.8 kt
B.100º T at 2.0 kt
C.273º T at 0.8 kt
D.295º T at 1.1 kt

4. At 0019 your position is 37º 00.0’ N 075º 30.0 W on a course of 270º T at 8.7
kt. At 0100 your position is 36º 59.7’ N 075º 37.05’ W. What is the set and drift?

A.137º T at 0.7 kt
B.150º T at 0.9 kt
C.331º T at 0.7 kt
D.347º T at 0.7 kt

5. At 1939 your GPS is 36º 56.0’ N 075º 42.0’ W on a course of 111º T at 12.8 kt.
At 2000 your position is 36º 53.9’ N 075º 36.0’ W. What was the set and drift?

A.130º T at 0.9 kt
B.134º T at 2.1 kt
C. 091º T at 1.6 kt
D.103º T at 1.1 kt

6.What were the Course Made Good (CMG) and Speed Made Good (SMG) for
problem number 5?

A.129º T, 2.0kt
B.112º T, 14.9kt
C.115º T, 13.0kt
D.129º T, 0.9kt

Answers:

1.A
2.D
3.A
4.A
5.B
6.B