A DR track is based on an assumption of making good an exact course and speed.

There are many factors, such as the wind and current, that work for or against the vessel thus changing
where the vessel actually travels.

Wind & Current

Current – The horizontal movement of the water.

Set - The direction toward which the current is flowing, measured in degrees.

Drift - The velocity of the flow, normally measured in knots.

Wind – The horizontal movement of the air.

Leeway – the leeward (down wind) motion of a vessel due to that component of the wind vector
perpendicular to the vessel’s track.

Track

The intended horizontal direction of travel with respect to the earth, taking into consideration known or
predicted offsetting effects such as current, wind, and seas. (COA)

Course Made Good - CMG is the resultant direction from a given point of departure to a subsequent
position. It is the direction of the net movement from one point to another, disregarding any
intermediate course changes en route. This will differ from the track if the correct allowance for current
was not made.

Course Over The Ground - COG is the actual path of the vessel with respect to the earth. This may differ
from CMG if there are intermediate course changes, steering inaccuracies, varying offsetting influences,
and so forth. In current sailing triangles, CMG (not COG) is used. COG and SOG take into account all the
zigs and zags of the vessel, including those caused by the wind, waves, current and the helmsman’s
ability.

Speed

Speed of Advance - This is the intended speed with respect to the earth, taking into consideration the
effect of known or predicted current. SOA is also used to designate the average speed that must be
made good to arrive at a destination at a specified time.

Speed Made Good - SMG is the net speed based on distance and time of passage directly from one
point to another, disregarding any intermediate speed change. SMG is speed along the CMG.
Speed Over The Ground - SOG is the ship’s actual speed with respect to the earth along the COG. In
current sailing, SMG (not SOG) is used.

Great Circle Sailing

A method of navigating a ship along the shortest navigable distance between the point of departure and
the point of arrival. The shortest distance between any two points on a sphere is the circumference of
the circle which joins them and whose center is at the center of the sphere.

What is the Vertex in a Great Circle?

The position where the Great Circle passes closest to the pole is called Vertex. At the Vertex the
direction of the Great Circle is 090° or 270°.

How to find the Vertex in a great Circle?

At a point closest to the pole. That will be called as your vertex. That is the highest point.

advantage and disadvantage of Great Circle sailing?

The advantage of a great circle is obvious, the shorter distance. The disadvantages, depending on
latitude, could be quite a few. Colder weather, stronger winds, higher seas and perhaps even iceberg.

What is Composite Sailing?

A modification of great-circle sailing used when it is desired to limit the highest latitude. The composite
track consists of a great circle from the point of departure and tangent to the limiting parallel, a course
line along the parallel, and a great circle tangent to the limiting parallel to the destination.

Position Lines:
A position line is a line that can be identified both on a nautical chart or aeronautical chart and by
observation out on the surface of the earth. The intersection of two position lines is a fix that is used in
position fixing to identify the navigator's location.

Dead reckoning:determining a position by plotting courses and speeds from a known position – this is
good seamanship– will keep the vessel out of harm's way; labeled as DR. It is also used to predict when
lights become visible or to determine the set and rate of a current.

Running fix Under certain circumstances – such as low visibility – only one line of position can be
obtained at a time.

What is Deck log book?

The deck logbook of a ship is an important document that is used to record various data, scenarios, and
situations (including emergency situation and action which is later used for reference, case study, and
for insurance purpose in case of damage to the ship or loss of ship's property.