You are underway and intend to make good a course of 170°T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 050°T at 2.8 knots, and a easterly wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 18.5 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 170°T?

Question

You are underway and intend to make good a course of 170&deg;T. You experience a current with a set and drift of 050&deg;T at 2.8 knots, and a easterly wind produces a leeway of 3&deg;. You adjust your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 18.5 knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 170&deg;T?

Accepted Answer

Option D: 17.2 knots. Vector addition using a maneuvering board or vector triangle resolves engine course/speed, current set/drift (050°T at 2.8 kts), and leeway (3° easterly wind). Projecting vector vectors along the 170°T track yields the resulting speed made good of 17.2 knots.