Tidal drift refers to the speed of a tidal stream or current, typically measured in knots.
Understanding Tidal Drift
In navigation and marine contexts, tidal phenomena are crucial factors. Tidal movement involves both direction and speed. The reference highlights these distinct components:
- Set: The direction (in degrees) towards which the tidal stream or current is moving.
- Drift (or Rate): The speed of the tidal stream or current, typically measured in knots.
Therefore, when discussing "tidal drift," the focus is specifically on how fast the water is moving due to tidal forces.
Why is Tidal Drift Important?
Understanding tidal drift is essential for various activities on the water, including:
- Navigation: Calculating the vessel's actual speed over the ground. A current pushing with you increases your speed, while one against you decreases it. Drift directly impacts passage timing and fuel consumption.
- Anchoring: Knowing the maximum drift helps determine appropriate anchor size and scope to prevent dragging.
- Fishing: Fish often congregate in areas with specific current speeds.
- Water Sports: Kayaking, paddleboarding, and other activities are significantly affected by current speed.
Knowing the tidal drift allows mariners and water users to predict the effect of tidal currents on their movement and make informed decisions. This information is often presented in tidal stream atlases or predicted by navigation software.
