Sail Training Adventures
Professional Sailing Instruction, Sailing Adventures and Seminars
Tides and Currents
April 2, 2025
1930 - 2230 Eastern Daylight Time
Live Stream on Zoom Cost $55.00 cdn +hst
Vessel operators in coastal waters need to be very mindful of the effect of tides and tidal currents caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon.
Water levels can fluctuate by several meters and some tidal currents are strong enough that pleasure craft may not be able to make headway against the current.
This course will guide you to develop a complete understanding of Tides and Currents, enabling you to make navigational decisions that will enhance safety on your vessel.
Digital version of notes will be emailed to participants prior to seminar day
Seminar Outline
Your day on the water is ruled by tides and their associated currents
If heading out into tidal waters it is critical that you have a complete understanding of them and the impact that they will have on your cruising plans
Ocean and River Currents
Non Tidal Changes in Water Levels
Tides and Tidal Currents
Definitions
Sources of Tidal and Current Information
Tides
Deciphering Tide Tables, Primary and Secondary Ports
Anchoring and Docking in Tidal Waters
Currents
Sources of Current Information
Flood and Ebb
Set and Drift
Overfalls, Whirlpools
Deciphering Current Tables
Utilizing a Current Atlas
Tidal Diamonds on Charts
Anchoring and Docking in Current
Using Vectors to Calculate Affect of Current on Course
Calculating Course to Steer to Counteract Current
Concluding with
Completing a passage example utilizing tide and current tables to calculate course to steer to counteract current, timing for slack current to go through narrows and depth of water upon arrival at anchorage using tidal curve. Also calculate scope to accommodate highest tide while anchoring overnight