Understanding Tides and Currents

A good understanding of west coast tides and currents can mean the difference between a smooth ride and a rough ride. For many, navigating Johnstone Strait and the rapids of the Inside Passage is a new challenge. You may be surprised to learn that planning a trip north of Campbell River is not as difficult as you thought—Johnstone Strait and the nearby tidal rapids form an incredibly complex hydraulic system, but in a number of very important ways, it is predictable.

By the end of the course, participants will:

• have general strategies for managing tidal currents
• know how to plan for tidal currents to assist (rather than resist) a vessel’s progress
• know how to read the tide and current tables
• have specific strategies for managing Johnstone Strait and Cordero Channels as well as other tidal rapids

Though the specific focus is on the West Coast, participant learnings are applicable to tide and current interactions world-wide. The seminar also includes practice calculation of proper timing.

Instructor

Kevin Monahan is an experienced captain, retired Canadian Coast Guard officer, and author of “The Radar Book: Effective Navigation and Collision Avoidance”.