Tidal Theory

HNC NAUTICAL SCIENCE

Group Award Code G8F5 15

F0LV 34 – CHARTWORK & TIDES

 Aims
To give the student an understanding of:
 The main causes of Tides;
 The creation of Spring and Neap Tides;
 Causes of differences between Predicted

Heights of Tides and Actual Heights of

Tides;
 Calculations involving Underwater and

Overhead Obstructions, Shoreside

Structures, Leadlines & Echo Sounders.
 Objectives
The Student will be able to:
 Explain how tides are created;
 Explain how Spring and Neap Tides are

created;
 Explain the causes of the variation between

Predicted and Actual Heights of Tides

 Perform Calculations involving Underwater

and Overhead Obstructions, Shoreside

Structures, Leadlines and Echo Sounders
The main causes
 The main factors causing tides is the combined effect
of the gravitational forces exerted on the earth by the
moon and also by the sun
 The approximate ratio of these forces can be

represented as 7 : 3 respectively
 Tide is also caused by the centrifugal forces produced

by the earth and the moon

• Under ideal conditions the earth is considered to have a
uniform covering of water with no landmass
• The difference in the gravitational and centrifugal forces
exerted on the earth’s surface by the moon causes the water to
pile up towards the moon and also in the hemisphere opposite
to the moon L
W
Point
A

H H
W W

L
• The earth is effectively
W rotating in an ellipsoid of water and
point A will be carried round as the earth rotates
• As the earth rotates once every 24 hours we would expect
point A to see two HW’s and two LW’s. This also applies to
every part of the earth
• However, as the moon is in orbit around the
earth, each day the moon moves further along
in it’s orbit and the earth takes an extra 50
minutes to be back in conjunction with the
moon

L L
WW
H
W
H PP H
W W

H
W
L L
W W

• Therefore a Lunar day is 24hours 50mins

• The time between two HW’s is approximately
12hrs 25mins
• The time between successive HW and LW is
approximately 6hrs 12mins

• This means that on some days it is possible to

experience only one HW or LW
 Spring Tides
• The tides with maximum range are known as Spring Tides
• Spring tides occur at fortnightly intervals

• They occur under the following circumstances:-

+3

+7 +7
Full New
Moon Moon
P SU
N

Oppositi Conjunctio
on n
• The above figure represents the relative positions of the Sun and
Moon at Spring tides
• This is when the tidal generating forces of the Sun & Moon are
acting together to produce the highest High tides and the lowest
Low tides
 Neap Tides
• The tides with minimum range are known as
Neap Tides
• They also occur at fortnightly intervals
• TheyQuadrature
occur under
+7 the following +3
circumstances:-
st
1.
Quarter

H
W
SU
L P N
W

+7

Quadrature
 Neap Tides
• The figure represents the relative positions of the Sun and Moon at
Neap tides
• This is when the tidal generating forces of the Sun & Moon are
acting at right angles to each other so that effectively a lower High
water and a higher Low water is produced
• The Moon is said to be at Quadrature
+7 +3

• The Moon
1st. Quarter
exerts a H
greater W
influence in
the ratio 7 : 3 L P
W
• The effect of
SU
the Sun is to N
reduce the
resultant
height of tide +7
Last Quarter
Admiralty Tide Tables
 The predicted heights and times are shown in the
Admiralty Tide Tables (ATT)
 The predictions are based on observations over at least
one year and are calculated for average meteorological
conditions

 Other factors which affect heights of tide but which

cannot be taken into consideration in the tables are
barometric pressure and wind
Accuracy of Predictions - Survey

 Predictions are usually based on a

survey period of at least 1 year,
preferably 3 years – can be as short as
3 weeks.

 How recent the survey is.

Barometric pressure

 Sailing Directions give the average barometric pressure

for various areas and if the actual pressure is less than
this the sea level will tend to be higher
 When the pressure is greater than the average the sea

level will tend to be lower

Wind

 An onshore wind will pile up the water against the

coast
 An offshore wind will push the water away from the

coast and therefore tend to lower the coastal water

level
 Winds blowing along the coast will set up long waves

(storm surges) which will raise or lower the level

depending upon the position of the crest or trough
 Focal Plane of Light

Charted Height of Light

Mean High
Water Springs
(MHWS)

Sea Level

Height of Tide

Drying Height Rock or Shoal Chart Datum

Charted (CD)
Depth

Rock or Shoal
 Bridge Electrical Wire Focal Plane of Light

Charted Height Charted

after 2005 Charted Height Elevationt of
HAT Pre 2005 + SQA Light houses

MHWS

MHWN

MSL Neap Range Spring Range

MLWN

MLWS

LAT
(Chart Datum)
Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions
Water Information Ship Information

WL
HoT
Chart Datum draught

Charted
Depth UKC

Shoal
Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Example 1

WL
2.0m
CD 4.0m

5.0m
UKC

Shoal
Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Example 1

Charted Depth 5.0 m WL

Ht of Tide +2.0 m 2.0m
Total Depth 7.0 m CD 4.0m

Draught -4.0 m
Clearance 3.0 m 5.0m
UKC

Shoal
Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Example 1

Charted Depth 5.0 m WL

Ht of Tide +2.0 m 2.0m
Total Depth 7.0 m CD 4.0m
Draught -4.0 m
Clearance 3.0 m
5.0m
UKC

Shoal

The Underkeel clearance is 3.0m

Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Exercise 1

Charted Depth 6.2 m

Ht of Tide + 3.9 m
Total Depth 10.1 m WL
Draught - 7.6 m 3.9m
Clearance 2.5 m CD 7.6m

6.2m
UKC

Shoal

The under-keel clearance is 2.5m

Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Example 2

WL
HoT
CD 8.0m

3.0m
1.5m

Shoal
Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Example 2

WL
Draught 8.0 m
HoT
Clearance +1.5 m CD 8.0m
Total Depth 9.5 m
Charted Depth -3.0 m
Ht of Tide 6.5m 3.0m
1.5m

Shoal

The Height of Tide is 6.5m above Chart Datum

 Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Exercise 2

Draught 8.2 m
Clearance + 1.5 m
WL
Total Depth 9.7 m
HoT
Charted Depth -6.3 m
CD 8.2m
Ht of Tide 3.4 m

6.3m
1.5m

Shoal

The Height of Tide is 3.4m above Chart Datum

Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Example 3

WL

4.0m

Height of Tide
1.5m

1.5m
Shoal
CD
Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Example 3

WL
Draught 4.0 m
4.0m
Clearance 1.5 m
Total Depth 5.5 m
Height of Tide
Drying Height (- -) +1.5 m
1.5m
Ht of Tide 7.0 m.
1.5m
Shoal
CD

The Height of Tide is 7.0m above Chart Datum

 Exercises involving Underwater
Restrictions – Example 3
Charted Depth 3.0 m
Ht of Tide
Draught
1. Charted
+3.0 m depth of 3.6
shoalm3.0m Height of tide 3.0m Draught 5.0 m. Find the clearance over the shoal.
Clearance +1.0 m
Total Depth
WL
6.0 m
Total Depth 4.6 m
Draught
Drying Height
-5.0 m (- -) +2.7 m 3.6m
Clearance
Ht of Tide
1.0 m 7.3 m.
Height of Tide
The under-keel clearance
1.0m
is 1.0m

2.7m
Shoal
CD

The Height of Tide is 7.3m above Chart Datum

Bill of Portland Lighthouse - Chart
Bill of Portland Lighthouse - ALOL
Springs and Neaps
• NOAA National Ocean Service Education:
Tides and Water Levels
Measurements of Lighthouses -
ALOL
Top of Structure

Focal Plane of Light

Height
(ALOL Col 7)
Charted Height or
Elevation
(ALOL Col 5)

Ground

MHWS

Chart Datum
Problems involving Shoreside
Structures

Height of
Charted Height Light
or Elevation above
Sea Level

MHWS

Height of
MHWS Sea Level

Height of
Tide

CD
 Exercises involving Shoreside
Structures – Example 4
Charted Height of light 32.5m. Height of MHWS 8.2m. Height of tide 6.5m.
Find the height of the light above the water.

32.5m
Charted Ht of Lt 32.5 m
MHWS + 8.2 m Height
of Light
Total Ht of Light 40.7 m
Height of Tide - 6.5 m MHWS
Ht of Lt above W/L 34.2 m

8.2m SL

6.5m

CD

The Height of the Light is 34.2m above the Sea Level

 Exercises involving Shoreside
Structures – Exercise 4

Charted Ht of Lt 45.2 m
45.2m
MHWS + 4.1 m
Total Ht of Light 49.3 m Height
of Light
Height of Tide - 3.6 m
Ht of Lt above W/L 45.7 m MHWS

4.1m SL

3.6m

CD

The Height of the Light is 45.7m above the Sea Level

Exercises involving Shoreside
Structures – Example 5
A Light is 41.6m above the water. The Elevation of the light is charted as 37.2m.
The height of MHWS is 8.7m. Find the height of tide.

Elevation of Lt 37.2 m
MHWS + 8.7 m
37.2m
Total Ht of Light 45.9 m
Ht of Lt above W/L– 41.6 m
Height of Tide 4.3 m 41.6m
MHWS

8.7m WL

HoT

CD

The Height of Tide is 4.3m above Chart Datum

 Exercises involving Shoreside
Structures – Exercise 5
Height of light 30.0m. Height of MHWS 10.0m. Height of tide 5.5m.
Find the height of the light above the water.

30.0m

Charted Ht of Lt 30.0 m Height

of Light
MHWS +10.0 m
Total Ht of Light 40.0 m MHWS
Height of Tide - 5.5 m
Ht of Lt above W/L 34.5 m
10.0m WL

5.5m

CD

The Height of the Light is 34.5m above the Sea Level

Measurement of Overhead
Restrictions
 Charts published prior to 2005 –
measurement of Bridges and Electrical Wires
from MHWS
 Charts published after 2005 – measurement
of Bridges and Electrical Wires from HAT
 SQA measurement of Bridges and Electrical
Wires from MHWS
Exercises involving Shoreside
Structures – Exercise 5

42.6m

Elevation of Lt 42.6 m
MHWS + 5.6 m 46.7m
Total Ht of Light 48.2 m MHWS
Ht of Lt above W/L – 46.7 m
Height of Tide 1.5 m
5.6m WL

HoT

CD

The Height of Tide is 1.5m above Chart Datum

Problems involving Overhead
Obstructions
Bridge

Clearance

Charted
Height

MHWS Air Draught

Height
SL
of
MHWS

Height of
Tide

CD
Problems involving Overhead
Obstructions – Example 6
Bridge
Charted Ht of Bridge 17.0 m
2m
MHWS + 7.6 m
Total Ht of Bridge 24.6 m 17m

Clearance - 2.0 m
Air Draught - 22.0 m MHWS 22m
Height of Tide 0.6 m

SL
7.6m

Height of
Tide

CD

The Maximum Height of Tide is 0.6m

Problems involving Overhead
Obstructions – Exercise 6
Bridge

Charted Ht of Bridge 15.0 m 1m

MHWS + 5.3 m 15m

Total Ht of Bridge 20.3 m

Clearance - 1.0 m
MHWS
Air Draught - 18.0 m 18m

Height of Tide 1.3 m

SL
5.3m

Height of
Tide

CD

The Maximum Height of Tide is 1.3m

 Problems involving Overhead
Obstructions – Example 7
Bridge

Clearance

14.6m

10.2m

Charted Ht of Bridge 14.6 m MHWS 12.5m

MHWS + 7.4 m
Total Ht of Bridge 22.0 m
Height of Tide - 6.3 m 2.3m
Air Draught -12.5 m 7.4m 8.0m
SL
Clearance 3.2 m
5.7m
6.3m

CD

The Clearance between the Mast and the Bridge is 3.2m

 Problems involving Overhead
Obstructions – Exercise 7
Bridge

Clearance

14.6m

10.2m
Charted Ht of Bridge 12.6 m
MHWS
MHWS + 5.3 m 12.5m

Total Ht of Bridge 17.9 m

Height of Tide - 4.1 m
Air Draught - 8.3 m 2.3m
Clearance 5.5 m SL
7.4m 8.0m

5.7m
6.3m

CD

The Clearance between the Mast and the Bridge is 5.5m

Problems involving the Leadline
 Measures the “Total Depth of Water”
 If the HoT is subtracted, the Charted Depth is

found.
 HoT is therefore known as the “Correction to

the Leadline”
 Useful for the creation of Charts
Problems involving the Leadline
SL

HoT/Correction
to the Leadline

Chart Datum Leadline Sounding/

Total Depth
Charted
Depth

Shoal
Problems involving the Leadline –
Example 8
SL
6.7m
Chart Datum
Sounded Depth 8.0 m 8.0m
Ht of Tide -6.7 m Charted
Depth
Charted Depth 1.3 m

Shoal

The Charted Depth is 1.3m below Chart Datum

Problems involving the Leadline –
Example 9

SL
Sounded Depth 4.5 m 5.7m
Ht of Tide -5.7 m Chart Datum
Charted Depth -1.2 m 4.5m
= Drying Height 1.2 m Charted
Depth

Shoal

The Drying Height is 1.2m above Chart Datum

Echo Sounders
 Can be used to measure either:
(a) Depth Under the Keel, or
(b) Total Depth of Water.
 Care must be taken to ensure that the
Navigator knows whether it is (a) or (b).
 If using Total Depth of Water, the correct
up to date draught must be entered into
the Echo Sounder
Echo Sounder Measuring Depth
under the Keel
Water Information Ship Information
Water Information Ship Information

WL
HoT
Chart Datum draught

Charted
Depth Sounding
/UKC

Shoal
Echo Sounder Measuring Total
Depth of Water
Water Information Ship Information

WL
HoT
Chart Datum
Depth of
Water
Charted
Depth

Shoal
Echo Sounders continued….
 There may be several transponders, e.g.
Fwd & Aft occasionally Port & Stbd.

 Care must be taken to know which

Transponder is being used.

 If using the Fwd Transponder whilst the

vessel has a large stern trim – the underkeel
clearance could be misleading!
Problems involving the
Echo-Sounder – Example 10

Draught 5.2 m
WL
Sounding +23.4 m HoT
Total Depth 28.6 m
Chart Datum 5.2m
Charted Depth -20.0 m
Ht of Tide 8.6 m
20m
23.4m

Shoal

The Height of Tide is 8.6m

Course Paper 1
Complete Course Paper 1 starting in class,
completing as homework.

Answers in Tides Course Papers Book at the

front of the Class

Answers also on Moodle

Good luck!