What is leeway in navigation?

What is leeway in navigation?

• A. Forward drift caused by current.
• B. Rotation of the vessel about its vertical axis.
• C. Lateral drift caused by currents, wind, or steering errors away from the intended course.
• D. Vertical drop from deck to water.

Answer: (C)

Leeway is the sideways drift of a vessel off its intended course caused by wind and currents, and it can be influenced by steering errors. When a ship points in a certain direction (heading) but the wind pushes on the hull and the current runs across the vessel, the actual path over the ground (track) shifts to the side. The difference between the heading and the track is the leeway angle. This concept is why navigators must compensate by adjusting their heading to stay on course.

Leeway is the sideways drift of a vessel off its intended course caused by wind and currents, and it can be influenced by steering errors. When a ship points in a certain direction (heading) but the wind pushes on the hull and the current runs across the vessel, the actual path over the ground (track) shifts to the side. The difference between the heading and the track is the leeway angle. This concept is why navigators must compensate by adjusting their heading to stay on course.