Ocean Current

An ocean current is a persistent, directed movement of seawater across coastal or open-ocean areas. In navigation, it is described by set (the direction it flows) and drift (its speed), and may be driven by wind, density differences, large-scale circulation, tides, or seabed and coastline shape.

For boaters, ocean currents affect course over ground, speed over ground, fuel burn, ETA and comfort. A favourable current can shorten a passage, while an adverse one may slow progress or push a vessel towards hazards. Current information is central to Currents Maps, Weather Routing and avoiding steep seas created by Wind against Current.

In PredictWind, current forecasts can be viewed alongside wind, wave and route data to help optimise departures and passages. Offshore crews can download relevant GRIB data at sea, then compare forecast current with GPS tracking and onboard observations for safer navigation.