How would you correct for drift to maintain a planned track?

• A. Increase speed
• B. Stop and wait
• C. Adjust heading
• D. Change cargo weight

Answer: (C)

Drift is the lateral push from wind and current that pushes the vessel away from its intended path. To stay on the planned track, you steer a heading that counters that push, effectively crabbing into the wind or current so the resulting motion follows the desired line. In practice, you turn the bow toward the direction opposite the drift until the track aligns with the plan, then maintain that heading while monitoring your position.

Increasing speed or stopping doesn’t reliably cancel cross-track drift and can even make the situation worse or cause delays. Changing cargo weight doesn’t affect the external forces causing drift, so it won’t help keep the vessel on course.