Co-Tidal Calculations

Why use co-tidal calculations?

• For certain deep drafted vessels it may be
necessary to predict tidal information for a
specific time in offshore areas where UKC
is marginal.
• This information comes from Co-Tidal and
Co-Range Charts
 Co-Tidal and Co-Range Charts
• Co-tidal lines are drawn through points of
Mean High Water Interval (MHWI)
• MHWI is defined as the mean time interval
between the passage of the Moon over
the Meridian of Greenwich and the time of
the next high water at the place
concerned
 Where do you get co-tidal
information from?
• Co-range lines are drawn through points
of Mean Spring Range (MSR)
• MSR is defined as the difference in level
between Mean High Water Springs and
Mean Low Water Springs
 Example of a co-tidal and co-range lines
Co-range lines (5m, 4m, 3m,
etc.) are drawn through
positions of equal Mean
Spring Range

Values of MHWI and MSR

are also given for a
number of Standard Ports Amphidromic Point
Where the range of
Co-tidal lines (12h, 11h, the tide is nil or very
10h, etc.) are drawn small increasing
through points of equal outwards. The times
Mean High Water Interval of high and low water
progress clockwise or
anticlockwise around
the centre.
 What areas to co-tidal charts
cover?
• Available for certain areas around the
world – British Isles (in particular Dover
Straits and southern North Sea), the
Malacca Straits and the Persian Gulf.
• They provide a means of predicting tidal
information in the open sea.
 Instructions For Co-Tidal
Calculations
• To obtain a tidal prediction for an offshore
area the values MHWI and MSR for the area
should be taken from the chart.
• A suitable Standard Port, usually the nearest
to the area, should be chosen and the values
of its MHWI and MSR noted
• The time correction to be applied to the
predictions for the Standard Port should be
obtained from the difference between the
MHWI’s
 Instructions For Co-Tidal
Calculations
• The Standard Port heights should be
multiplied by the ratio of the MSR’s
• The time differences and ratios can also
be applied to observations at the Standard
Port to obtain a more accurate estimate of
the tide in the offshore area
 Example One

• Tidal prediction required for position 56°00’N 002°00’E

• From Chart 5058 MHWI 3h 08 MSR 1.3m
• Selected Standard Port, River Tyne MHWI 3h 01 MSR 4.3m
• Time difference and ratio to be applied to the River Tyne
predictions:
• Time difference = MHWI posn – MHWI Standard Port
= 3h 08 – 3h 01
= +0h 07
Labelled ‘+’ because MHWI posn is ahead of MHWI Standard Port

• Ratio = MSR posn / MSR Standard Port

Ratio = 1.3 / 4.3 = 0.30
 Therefore on 4th February 1987 in position
56°00’N 002°00’E
• Times of HW and LW • Heights of HW and LW

• Time difference +0h 07 • Ratio = 0.30

• St Port Posn • St Port Posn

0130 + 0h 07 = 0137 0.8 x 0.30 = 0.24

0735 + 0h 07 = 0742 4.4 x 0.30 = 1.32

1328 + 0h 07 = 1335 1.4 x 0.30 = 0.42

1938 + 0h 07 = 1945 4.7 x 0.30 = 1.41

 Take Care!

• The line of MHWI marked 0h is also 12h 25, referred to

the previous moon’s transit. Therefore when the required
position and Standard Port lie on opposite sides of the
0h line it is necessary to apply the figure of 12h 25 to
one or other of the MHWI’s to ensure that the difference
obtained refers to the same moons transit thus:
 Example Two

• Tidal prediction required for position 58°10’N 001°00’E

• From Chart 5058 MHWI 12h 17 MSR 1.3m
• Selected Standard Port, Aberdeen MHWI 00h 56 MSR 3.7m
or (adding 12h 25) 13h 21
• Time difference and ratio to be applied to the Aberdeen predictions:
 Time difference = MHWI Standard Port – MHWI posn
= 13h 21 – 12h17
= -1h 04
Labelled ‘-’ because MHWI posn is behind MHWI Standard Port

 Ratio = MSR posn / MSR Standard Port

Ratio = 1.3 / 3.7 = 0.35
 Therefore on 4th February 1987 in position
58°10’N 001°00’E
• Times of HW and LW • Heights of HW and LW

• Time difference -1h 04 • Ratio = 0.35

• St Port Posn • St Port Posn

0520 - 1h 04 = 0416 3.7 x 0.35 = 1.30

1059 - 1h 04 = 0955 1.2 x 0.35 = 0.42

1722 - 1h 04 = 1618 4.0 x 0.35 = 1.4

2344 - 1h 04 = 2240 1.0 x 0.35 = 0.35

End