LEGEND: Blue = information provided. Red = table values, etc.

Black = calculated values. Green = ANSWER

Terrestrial Observations
Set and Drift - Speed Made Good (with Leeway)
USCG 3451-NP-5 STEPS

You are underway and intend to make good a course of 040° T. You experience a current with a
set and drift of 190° T at 1.4 knots, and a northwest wind produces a leeway of 3°. You adjust
your course to compensate for the current and leeway, while maintaining an engine speed of 10
knots. What will be your speed made good over your intended course of 040° T?

SOLUTION: Leeway = 3º NW wind sets you to the

CMG = 040º T right or towards 135°.
Set and Drift C to Steer = 037º You must steer to the
190° and 1.4 knots SMG = 10.0 kts. left to adjust for leeway.
Determine the direction from which the wind blows, and whether it is on the port or the
starboard side of your vessel. You have to steer into the wind to account for the leeway.

If the wind is on the port side you must steer to the left (subtract leeway) to adjust for leeway.
If the wind is on the starboard side you must steer to the right (add leeway) to adjust for
l
Course Made Good Current - Set and Drift

CMG
CMG 040° T - NW'ly wind 3° 040º
Leeway =
CTS 037° T without set. SMG = 8.8 kts. Leeway
Swing a 10 mile arc from
3º
the end of Set and Drift
to the intersection with the
Left
CMG = 040°
037° T heading.
Final CTS = 033° T. C to Steer
SMG = 8.8 kts. 037º

Set and Drift

190° and 1.4 knots
Set 190° T
Drift 1.4 knots
Speed Made Good
8.8 kts.

FINAL CTS
033º

3451-np-5 Page 1 of 2 © Copyright 2004 - LAPWARE, LLC

 LEGEND: Blue = information provided. Red = table values, etc.
Black = calculated values. Green = ANSWER

8.8 kts

Select the closest answer.

A) 7.8 knots
B) 8.8 knots ANSWER
C) 9.8 knots
D) 11.0 knots

Applying the Set and Drift first and then the Leeway results in the exact same answer
as proven in the plot below.

CMG
040º
SMG = 8.8 kts.
Set and Drift
190° and 1.4 knots

CMG = 040° C to Steer

036º
Swing a 10 mile arc from the end
of your set and drift. The
intersection with your CMG will
Leeway
determine your SMG of 9.0 kts 3º
Set 190° T without applying leeway. Left
Drift 1.4 knots Course to Steer is 036° T. Apply
your leeway due to the NW wind Speed Made Good
by steering 3° to the left (into)
8.8 kts.
the wind or 033° T. Now
measure your SMG along the
033° T heading and determine FINAL CTS
the SMG of 8 8kts 033º

3451-np-5 Page 2 of 2 © Copyright 2004 - LAPWARE, LLC