The following terminology is used with currents and tidal streams:

1. Set – we speak about the set of the current/tidal stream when referring to its
   direction of flow. It is expressed in degrees (°).
2. Rate – this is the speed of the current/tidal stream expressed in knots.
3. Drift – this is the distance that a current/tidal stream will move in a given interval
   of time expressed in miles.
4. CMG – this is the actual path of a vessel over the ground considering the effect of
   the current. It is referred to as:
   • Course made good.
   • Course over the ground.
   • The track.
   • The true wake course.
5. Course – this is the horizontal direction of travel through the water designated as True (T), Magnetic (M), Gyro (G) or Compass (C), depending on the reference direction. It is also referred to as the Ship’s Head.
6. SMG – this is the speed made good over the ground considering the effect of the
   current.