TIDES – THEORY

Causes of Tides
 Moon’s gravitational pull.
 Sun’s gravitational pull.
Moon’s gravitational pull is greater than the Sun’s due to it being closer.
Sun’s gravitational pull is approx 46% of Moon’s.

Tidal heights are also affected by ‘Seasonal Corrections’, e.g. rain.

‘Theoretical Equilibrium Configuration’ (Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Second Law of

0Motion) cause same tide at opposite side of Earth. (Imagine an unbalanced wheel.)

Moon and Sun have different orbit durations  relative positions between the two bodies is
constantly changing. Hence:
Spring tides Sun and Moon in Conjunction (New Moon) or Opposition (Full Moon).
Neap tides Sun and Moon in Quadrature (First and Third Quarters).

TIDE LEVELS
H.A.T.

M.H.W.S.

M.H.W.N.

M.L.W.N.

M.L.W.S.

L.A.T.

Nb. Chart Datum is often, but not always, at L.A.T.

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 FOCAL PLANE OF LIGHT

CHARTED HEIGHT
OF LIGHTHOUSE

MHWS

MHWN

NEAP
SPRING
RANGE
RANGE
MLWN

DRYING MLWS
HEIGHT
CHART
DATUM
CHARTED DEPTH

HW ON
A DAY
HEIGHT
OF HW
WATER
LEVEL
DRAFT
HEIGHT LW ON
A DAY
OF TIDE
HEIGHT
OF LW
UNDER KEEL CHART
CLEARANCE DATUM
CHARTED
DEPTH

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 BRIDGE

CLEARANCE
CHARTED HEIGHT
OF BRIDGE / CABLES
AIR
H.A.T. DRAFT
TABULATED
HEIGHT OF
H.A.T.
WATER LEVEL
HEIGHT DRAFT
OF TIDE
CHART DATUM

CHARTED
DEPTH

Bridge / Power Cables

Clearance

Charted
Height
of
Bridge

Keel
Air
to
Draught
Mast
Top

Height
of W L
HAT H.O.T.
Datum to Bridge =
Draught
Height HAT + Charted height of bridge.

W.L. to Bridge =
Clearance + Keel to mast top – Draught.
(Clearance + Air Draught)

Height of tide =
Datum to Bridge – W.L. to Bridge.

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 HEIGHT OF TIDE / UNDER KEEL CLEARANCE / BRIDGE CLEARANCE

1 A ship, draught 5.8m, has to cross a shoal of charted depth 3.7m with a minimum UKC
of 1.0m. Calculate the height of tide required.

2 A ship, draught 13.0m, has to cross a shoal of charted depth 10.9m with a minimum
UKC of 10% of the ship’s draught. Calculate the height of tide required.

3 A ship, draught 3.6m, has to cross a drying height, charted 0.3m, with a minimum UKC
of 1.0m. Calculate the height of tide required.

4 A ship, draught 8.8m, is to cross a shoal, charted depth 6.0m, at Cobh (Standard Port,
ATT UK and Ireland) on the morning HW 6th March. Calculate the UKC.

5 A ship is to pass under power cables, charted height 11.6m. Ship’s air draught 12.4m.
Height HAT 4.5m. Height of tide 1.6m. Calculate the clearance under the cables.

6 A ship is to pass under a bridge with a charted height 20.4m. Ship’s air draught 18.4m.
Height HAT 5.9m. Minimum clearance required under the bridge 2.5m. Find the
maximum height of tide permissible.

7 A ship is to cross a shoal, charted depth 6.6m, at Appledore (No. 536 ATT UK and
Ireland) with draughts for’d 5.7m, aft 6.0m. Calculate the UKC if the ship crosses when
the height of tide is equivalent to: (i) MLWS
(ii) MHWS

8 An oil platform is to pass under a bridge at Les Minquiers (No 1608, ATT UK and
Ireland), charted height 14.3m. Air draught 21.8m. Calculate the clearance if the
platform passes under the bridge when the tide height is equivalent to MLWN.

9 From the following information:

Minehead (No 532 ATT UK and Ireland).
Height of bridge above HAT 19.5m.
Charted depth at bridge 4.5m. Ship draught 5.9m even keel.
Height of tide 3.8m. Keel to mast top 28.6m.
Calculate (i) The UKC
(ii) The clearance under the bridge.

10 From the following information:

Porthcawl (No 512 ATT UK and Ireland).
Charted height of bridge 17.6m. Ship draught 8.1m even keel.
Charted depth at bridge 6.2m. Keel to mast top 31.0m.
Minimum under bridge clearance 2.0m. Minimum UKC 1.5m.
Calculate (i) The minimum height of tide.
(ii) The maximum height of tide.

Answers 1. 3.1m 4. 0.8m 7. 0.8m 9. 2.4m 10. 3.4m

2. 3.4m 5. 2.1m 8.1m 4.8m 3.7m
3. 4.9m 6. 5.4m 8. 1.4m

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 TIDES – EUROPEAN
STANDARD PORTS.
An index of Standard Ports is located on the first page of the Admiralty Tide Tables.
The times and heights of High Water and Low Water can be taken directly from the tables.
The heights tabulated are the predicted height of water above Chart Datum. The given height
includes any seasonal correction that has been deemed relevant.
Times given are the Standard Time for that port. To convert to GMT the correction at the top
of the page (Time Zone) must be applied as per the arithmetic sign shown
Intermediate times / heights.
Intermediate heights for some Standard Ports are given on an hourly basis. See Standard Port
Index for details.
If a height of tide at a given time, or a time that a given height occurs, is required then a plot
must be constructed on the ‘Standard Port Curve’.
1. Enter the nearest HW time (a few ports require LW) on the base line of the Curve,
complete the adjacent time boxes.
2. Mark the LW and HW heights either side of the required time on the given scale.
3. Draw a straight line between the LW and HW heights marked.
4. Calculate the Tidal Range of the applicable tide, i.e. HW height – LW height.
5. Determine, by comparison of the Tidal Range with the given Mean Ranges, whether the
tide concerned is a ‘Spring’ or ‘Neap’, or whether interpolation between the curves is
required. Never extrapolate outside the Spring or Neap range, i.e. if the Daily Range is
greater than the given Spring Range then the Spring Curve should be used.
If a height is required at a given time;
1. Mark the given time on the base line.
2. From the given time mark a vertical line to the relevant curve, as determined by 5. above.
3. Draw a horizontal line from the curve to the line joining LW and HW heights.
4. From the graph read off the required height.
If a time is required for a given height.
1. Determine whether it is a ‘rising’ tide or a ‘falling’ tide that is relevant to the time period.
2. Mark the given height on the graph.
3. Draw a vertical line from the given height to the line joining LW and HW heights.
4. Draw a horizontal line to the relevant curve, as determined in 5. above, and appropriate to
a rising or falling tide.

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5. Read the required time from the time base.
SECONDARY PORTS
To find the times and heights of HW and LW at Secondary Ports corrections must be applied
to the relevant Standard Port.
The geographical index at the back of the Admiralty Tide Tables shows the Index No. of the
Secondary Port. This is used to find the appropriate corrections in Part II of the Tide Tables.
The relevant Standard Port is shown above the Secondary Port in the correction tables.
The procedure is:
HW / LW Time HW / LW Height
1 STANDARD PORT PREDICTION
Data obtained for relevant time period
2 STANDARD PORT SEASONAL CORRECTION
Applied opposite to given sign
3 STANDARD PORT BASIC

4 SECONDARY PORT CORRECTION

Basic data used to obtain correction.
5 SECONDARY PORT BASIC

6 SECONDARY PORT SEASONAL CORRECTION

Applied same as given sign
7 SECONDARY PORT PREDICTION

NB. The height correction (line 4) may be extrapolated.

Intermediate times.
Intermediate problems can only be calculated this way if the secondary port is not marked:
‘c’- for intermediate problems use Harmonic Constants. However, for the purposes of the
MCA/SQA/College Tidal Extracts a note has been inserted stating all references to simplified
harmonic method of tidal prediction do not apply. Consequently the intermediate tide should
be calculated and a note made that the answer would be treated with caution.
To find the intermediate times or heights at a Secondary Port the same process as the
Standard Port intermediates is used.
Instead of entering the Curve with the Standard Port details, HW time, HW & LW height etc,
the Secondary Port details are entered.
The Spring and Neap Ranges given on the Standard Port Curve apply to the Standard Port.
Consequently when determining whether the Spring Curve or Neap Curve, or between, is
applicable the comparison must be between the Tidal Range at the Standard Port and the
given Ranges.

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 TIDES - PACIFIC

The procedure for calculating Pacific tides is very similar to European tides.
The differences are:

 Pacific tides are not always semi-diurnal.

 Standard Ports do not have individual Tide Curves. The same Curve, page xvii, is used
for all ports.

 The Tide Curve diagram consists of 3 actual curves. The curves represent tidal duration of
5, 6 and 7 hours. If the relevant tide duration is not exactly 5, 6 or 7 hours then
interpolation between curves is used. Intermediate times / heights of any port cannot be
calculated if the relevant tidal duration is less than 5 hours or more than 7 hours.

 Intermediate times and heights of a port cannot be calculated if that port requires ‘Shallow
Water Corrections’. These are indicated by entries in Part III of the tables under the
headings f4, F4, f6, F6, and at the foot of the Standard Port prediction pages. Both sections
must be checked prior to calculating intermediate times or heights.

 There is no requirement to interpolate for HW and LW time corrections, there is only 1

correction for each.

 Pacific tides do not always use the terms ‘Springs’ nor ‘Neaps’. The height corrections
are sometimes based on MHHW (Mean High High Water), MLHW (Mean Low High
Water), MHLW (Mean High Low Water) and MLLW (Mean Low Low Water). Height
corrections are interpolated or extrapolated in exactly the same way as European
Secondary Ports.

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Meteorological Effects on Tides.

Abnormal meteorological conditions may affect the times and heights of the tides.

Barometric pressure: Low pressure will tend to raise the sea level and high pressure will
tend to depress it. Changes in pressure due to barometric pressure seldom exceed 0.3m. The
average barometric pressure for certain places is given in the Sailing Directions and
information is also given in some instances concerning the changes in level which can be
expected under different conditions.

Wind:
The effect of wind on sea levels, and therefore on tidal times and heights, is considerably
variable and depends largely on the topography of the area in question. In general it can be
said that wind will increase the sea level in the direction towards which it is blowing. A
strong onshore wind will cause higher than predicted High Waters while winds blowing off
the land will have the reverse effect.

Storm surges:
Winds blowing along a coast tend to set up long waves, raising sea levels where the crest of
the wave appears and lowering sea levels in the trough. These waves are known as ‘storm
surges’. Storm surges which raise the height of water between 0.6 and 0.9m are not infrequent
and may occur several times during a year in the North Sea.

Negative surges:
With the passing of the trough, as mentioned above, a negative surge may occur. This can be
critical to vessels with small under keel clearances. Negative surges of over 0.6m occur about
15 times a year in the North Sea.
Rainfall:
Heavy rainfall can result in higher than predicted heights in rivers and also cause stronger
tidal flows. The ‘seasonal corrections’ are based on average monthly rainfall observations but
variations in sea levels may be considerably different than predicted due to abnormal rainfall.

See ‘Introduction’ at the front of Tide Tables.

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 Tide Questions

1. A vessel, draught 5.2m, is to pass over a shoal, charted depth 4.5m, at Village Bay, St.
Kilda (No 322, UK and Ireland). ETA 1330hrs GMT 13th January.
Find the predicted under-keel clearance at the ETA. UKC
0.9m.

2. Explain, with the aid of a diagram, how the relative positions of the earth, sun and
moon influence the tidal ranges experienced.

3. Explain EACH of the following terms:

(a) Height of tide.
(b) Spring range.
(c) Drying height.
(d) Charted depth.
(e) Mean Low Water Springs.
(f) Lowest Astronomical Tide.

4. Calculate each of the following for Sharpness Dock (No522a, UK and Ireland):
(a) The height of MHWS above chart datum.
(b) The mean Neap range of tide. 9.3m, 5.6 m.

5. A vessel’s ETA at a shoal, charted depth 2.6m, at Prince Rupert (Pacific and Atlantic
Oceans) is 2020hrs, Standard Time, 20th July.
Vessel’s draught 5.8m.
Minimum under keel clearance 1.0m.
Find the under keel clearance and state whether it is safe to cross the shoal.
UKC 1.0m, not safe to cross.

6. Discuss the reliability of the tidal predictions contained in the Admiralty Tide Tables,
giving reasons for discrepancies between predicted tidal heights and actual tidal
heights.

7. A vessel anchors in Porlock Bay (No 533, UK and Ireland) at 0200hrs 25th February.
Charted depth at anchor position 10.7m. Vessel’s draught 9.6m. The vessel is to
commence weighing anchor at 1400hrs 25th February.
Find EACH of the following pieces of tidal information for the period that the vessel
is at anchor
(a) The predicted maximum tidal range whilst the vessel is at anchor.
(b) The predicted minimum under-keel clearance whilst the vessel is at anchor.
(c) The predicted time that the minimum under-keel clearance occurs.
5.6m, 3.9m, 1002hrs 25th Feb.
8. A vessel is to enter the port of Muisine (No 9530, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans) on the
afternoon flood tide 8th March.
Maximum draught of vessel 5.6m
Required UKC 1.0m
Charted depth of river bar 4.7m
Find the predicted earliest time that the vessel can cross the river bar.
1615 hrs.

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NEAPING.

The height of tide at HW Neaps is not as high as at HW Springs.

It may arise that the depth of water at HW Neaps is insufficient to allow the safe passage of a
vessel. The vessel must wait until a HW height sufficient to allow safe passage. The vessel is
said to be “Neaped”.
It will be necessary to calculate the time at which the HW height is sufficient to allow safe
passage.
Instead of calculating the height of tide at the Secondary Port the method is to find the HW
height required at the Standard Port to give sufficient water at the Secondary Port.
NEAPING QUESTIONS

1. A vessel, alongside in Weston super Mare, (A.T.T. U.K. and Ireland, No. 527) is to load to
a draught of 7.8 m and is expected to complete cargo on or around the 21st March. The
vessel must pass over a shoal with a drying height of 0.4 m and must maintain a clearance
of 1.5 m at all times.
a) What is the last tide she can sail on, after the 21st March, and avoid being neaped?
b) If she misses the tide in a) above, when is the next tide she can sail?
Answer. a) Morning HW 22nd March. b) Morning HW 26th March.
2. A coastal Chemical tanker is alongside the in the port of Winterton, (A.T.T. U.K. and
Ireland, No. 144). The vessel intends to load to a maximum draught of 4.7 m and cargo
operations are expected to be completed by midnight, 3rd February. The vessel must pass
over a shoal in the approach channel, charted depth of 2.4m, and requires an underkeel
clearance of at least 1.0 m.
a) What is the last tide, after the 3rd February which the vessel can sail on?
b) If the vessel misses the tide above, when is the next tide she can sail.
Answer. a) Morning HW 5th February. (Nb. pm HW 4th not available)b) Evening HW 14th
February.
3. A ro-ro ferry is loading a cargo of HGV trucks in the port of Silloth, (A.T.T. U.K. and
Ireland, No. 432). The vessel expects to complete loading at midday 20th March, with a
final loaded draught of 6.7m.

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 a) What is the last tide the vessel can sail on if it has to cross a bar at the harbour
entrance, which has a charted drying height of 1.2m. Company requirements state that
15% of the draught must be allowed for U.K.C. and squat.
b) Due to engine problems the vessel misses the tide in a) above, when is the next time
she can sail?Answer. a) Afternoon HW 20th March .b) Morning HW 27th March.

4. On the 18th April, a vessel, draught 4.6m, is berthed at Boom (A.T.T. U.K. and Ireland,
No. 1539c) undergoing engine repairs. The vessel is to cross a shoal at chart datum with a
minimum underkeel clearance of 0.5m. Calculate the latest time that the vessel can cross
the shoal before becoming neaped.
Answer. 0925hrs, 20th April.
5. From the following details find the earliest time that the vessel can leave the berth to pass
under a bridge at Le Havre (A.T.T. U.K. and Ireland, No. 1582) after the 26th January:
Charted height of bridge 13.5m. Draught of vessel 3.3m.
Clearance required 1.0m. Keel to mast top 23.0m.
Steaming time from berth to bridge 30 minutes.
Answer. 1713hrs, 29th January.
6. From the following details find the latest time that the vessel can pass under a bridge at
Appledore (A.T.T. U.K. and Ireland, No. 536) after the 16th January to avoid being
neaped:
Charted height of bridge 5.3m. Draught of vessel 3.1m.
Clearance required 1.0m. Keel to mast top 15.1m.
Answer. 0335hrs, 21st January.
7. A vessel entering Favourite Bay (A.T.T. Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, No. 8711) via the
Chatham Strait must cross a shoal, charted depth 3.3m, with a minimum U.K.C. of 15%
of the draught. Draught 6.0m. ETA at Favourite Bay is 1200hrs 16th July. However due to
bad weather the vessel may be delayed.
a) Find the latest time that the vessel can cross the shoal to avoid being neaped.
b) If the vessel misses a) when is the next time that the vessel can cross the shoal.
Answer. a) 0335hrs, 18th July. b) 2055hrs, 25th July.

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