Tides and Currents 3.5.indd - Jeppesen

3.5 

Making Every Voyage Possible 

Nobeltec ® 

Tides & Currents

ii Nobeltec Tides & Currents User's Guide

Thank you for purchasing Jeppesen® Marine Nobeltec® Tides & Currents! 

Tides & Currents is a powerful tide-predicting software tool that takes the effort 

out of predicting tides and tidal currents. Tide and current predictions are based 

upon harmonic data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). 

Do You Have Everything? 

Before installing Tides & Currents, make sure you have received the following: 

• 

• 

• 

Installation discs for Tides & Currents 

Tides & Currents User’s Guide (this book) 

Tides & Currents serial number 

Minimum System Requirements for Nobeltec Navigation Software 

If multiple advanced features are used concurrently, higher quality components may 

be required: 

• Microsoft® Windows® 2000/XP Home/Professional (latest Service Pack may be 

required for Technical Support troubleshooting) 

• Pentium® III/IV 1.0 GHz processing power, or equivalent 

• 256 MB of RAM 

• DVD drive 

• 16 MB Video Card with 32 bit color VGA-compatible display (minimum 1024x768 

resolution settings) 

• Monitor settings 1024x768, 32-bit color video 

• Internet access required for product registration, to purchase software add-ons, 

and Passport Chart Permits 

• International Usage: charts require a USB or parallel port 

Recommended System Components: Windows® 2000/XP Pro; Pentium® IV 3.0 GHz 

processing power, or equivalent; 1 GB RAM; 64+ MB 3D video graphics card with 

OpenGL. 

Nobeltec Tides & Currents User's Guide 

Welcome W 

iii

Limitations of Documentation 

This User's Guide covers the key installation and usage information for Jeppesen 

Marine's Nobeltec Tides & Currents. It is written for an audience assumed to have 

a mid-level, pre-existing knowledge of PC operation and the principles of marine 

navigation. 

This document should in no way be used to replace actual navigation training and 

experience. Jeppesen Marine is not liable for errors contained herein, nor incidental 

or consequential damages in connection with use of this material. 

Product Support 

If you have a question about Tides & Currents, please first review this User’s Guide. 

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please contact Jeppesen Marine 

Customer Support (see inside back cover for contact information). 

NOTE: Technical Support is free of charge for registered users. 

Jeppesen Marine Legal Disclaimer 

Jeppesen Marine does not warrant that this Product is error-free or that it is 

compatible with products manufactured by any entity other than Jeppesen Marine. 

This product utilizes digitized chart data and electronic information from the Global 

Positioning System (GPS), which might contain errors. Jeppesen Marine does not 

warrant the accuracy of such information, and you are advised that errors in such 

information might cause the product to malfunction or provide incorrect readings. 

Jeppesen Marine is not responsible for damages or injuries caused by your use 

of or inability to use the Product, by the interaction of the Product with products 

manufactured by others, or by errors in chart data or information utilized by the 

Product provided by third parties. 

Except for the limited warranty regarding the Product contained in the license 

agreement accompanying the Product, this Product is provided “As Is” without 

warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the 

implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and any 

which might arise for course of performance, course of dealing, or usage of trade. 

WARNING: Nautical navigation is an inherently dangerous undertaking and should 

be engaged in only by persons trained and experienced in navigation. This product is 

intended for use only by persons trained in navigation and only as a navigational aid, 

not as the sole method of navigation. 

iv Nobeltec Tides & Currents User's Guide

Table of Contents 

Welcome ....................................................................................iii 

Do You Have Everything? .......................................................................iii 

System Requirements for Nobeltec Navigation Software.......................iii 

Limitations of Documentation .................................................................iv 

Product Support ......................................................................................iv 

Jeppesen Marine Legal Disclaimer .........................................................iv 

Introduction ................................................................................ 1 

Jeppesen Marine Nobeltec Tides & Currents ......................................... 1 

Passport Deluxe Charts and Data (North America Only) .................... 1 

The Software License Agreement ........................................................... 2 

Installation ................................................................................ 3 

Installing Tides & Currents and eChart Planner ..................................... 3 

Installing Nobeltec Software .........................................................................3 

Tides & Currents Overview ....................................................... 5 

What is Tides & Currents? ...................................................................... 5 

A Tides and Currents Primer .................................................................. 5 

How Do Tides and Currents Relate? ............................................................6 

What are Predictions?...................................................................................6 

How Does Tides & Currents Compare to Tide Books? ................................6 

NOAA and Canadian Hydrographic Service Data ........................................7 

Tidal Data Outside of North America ............................................................7 

Important Tides & Currents Qualifier ...................................................... 7 

eChart Planner Overview .......................................................... 9 

About eChart Planner ............................................................................. 9 

eChart Planner Charts ............................................................................ 9 

Starting eChart Planner .......................................................................... 9 

How Do I Use eChart Planner? ............................................................ 10 

The eChart Catalog.....................................................................................10 

Using Tides & Currents ........................................................... 13 

Starting Tides & Currents ...................................................................... 13 

Navigating the Tides & Currents Program ............................................ 13 

The Main Menu ...........................................................................................13 

Drop-Down Menus ......................................................................................13 

ToolBars ......................................................................................................14 

Opening a Tide or Current Window ...................................................... 17 

Tide & Current Windows .............................................................................17 

Tidal Datums ...............................................................................................17 

Current Directions .......................................................................................18 

Other Location Information .........................................................................18 

Groups .................................................................................................. 19 


v

Creating a Group ........................................................................................19 

Opening a Group of Graphs .......................................................................19 

Adding Locations to a Group ......................................................................20 

Removing Part of a Group ..........................................................................20 

Removing an Entire Group .........................................................................20 

Opening a Single Location From a Group ..................................................20 

Nearest Location/Custom Location ....................................................... 21 

Finding the Nearest Location ......................................................................21 

Creating Custom Locations.........................................................................23 

Custom Tide Locations ...............................................................................24 

Custom Current Locations ..........................................................................26 

Adding a Section Header ............................................................................27 

Event Search ........................................................................................ 28 

Event Searching Procedure ........................................................................28 

Available Event Search Parameters ...........................................................29 

Advanced Event Searching.........................................................................30 

Printing an Event Search Results Table .....................................................30 

Exporting Event Search Results to Clipboard or File .................................31 

Real Time Display ................................................................................. 32 

Real Time Display Setup ............................................................................32 

Printing Reports ....................................................................... 35 

Types of Reports ................................................................................... 35 

Quick Print Reports .....................................................................................35 

Formatted Reports ......................................................................................35 

Custom Reports .................................................................................... 36 

Printing a Formatted Report ................................................................. 37 

Other Print Report Fields ............................................................................38 

Report Options Window ..............................................................................38 

The Report Fonts Window ..........................................................................40 

Troubleshooting Printed Reports .......................................................... 41 

Exporting Data ......................................................................... 43 

Uses of Exported Data .......................................................................... 43 

Export Formats ...........................................................................................43 

Exporting Tide or Current Predictions ................................................... 44 

Advanced Settings .................................................................. 47 

Configuration Options ........................................................................... 47 

General Configuration Parameters .............................................................47 

Graphing Configuration Parameters ...........................................................49 

Colors Configuration Parameters................................................................51 

Startup Configuration Parameters ..............................................................52 

Notes ..................................................................................................... 53 

Notes in Tides & Currents ...........................................................................53 

How to Print or Save Notes ........................................................................53 

Glossary .................................................................................. 55 

vi Nobeltec Tides & Currents User's Guide

1 

Introduction 

Jeppesen® Marine Nobeltec® Tides & Currents 

Tides & Currents is a powerful tool that instantly predicts both tides and tidal currents 

for thousands of locations in North America and other parts of the world. 

Tides & Currents includes features such as nearest location search, real-time 

prediction window, event search, data export, powerful reporting and printing, 

sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset, and moon phases. 

Tides & Currents comes with an electronic chart viewer—Jeppesen® Marine 

Nobeltec® eChart Planner—that displays tide and current stations and predictions 

on top of digital planning charts. Or, for more accurate chart data, Jeppesen Marine 

recommends purchasing Passport Deluxe Chart Permits for every region where you 

intend to use Tides & Currents. 

Figure 1.1 - Tides & Currents Display 

Passport Deluxe Charts and Data (North America Only) 

Passport Deluxe is Jeppesen Marine's comprehensive supplemental nautical data 

solution for North America. It includes Passport World Charts, photo charts, raster 

charts and 3D bathymetric charts, as well as an additional data pack that contains 

Coast Pilot, place name marks, local info marks, light and buoy data, geographic 

location marks and World Port Index information. 

NOTE: Not every Passport Deluxe chart region includes all of the listed data types. 

Refer to your Jeppesen Marine product distributor for complete details. 


1

Chapter 1 - Introduction 

The Software License Agreement 

Figure 1.2 - eChart Planner with Tides & Currents Overlay 

ATTENTION: You may not use Jeppesen Marine software or any feature thereof 

unless you agree to the terms of the Software License Agreement. 

When you first launch Tides & Currents, a digital copy of the Software License 

Agreement appears. By continuing to use the product, you and all users of your copy 

of Jeppesen Marine software agree to be bound by the terms of the Software License 

Agreement and to release and hold Jeppesen Marine harmless from and against any 

and all claims, obligations, and liabilities with respect to the product, ex cept those 

specifically reserved in the License Agreement. 

If you do not agree with the terms of the Software License Agreement, click the 

button labeled I Do Not Agree and the program will close. If you choose this option, 

you may return the program to the original place of purchase within thirty (30) days 

of the purchase date. 

Passport World Charts and Passport Deluxe Supplemental Data Sets are not 

returnable after they are unlocked. 

2 Nobeltec Tides & Currents User's Guide

Installation 


2 

Installing Tides & Currents and eChart Planner 

The default installation wizard installs both Tides & Currents and eChart Planner on 

your desktop at the same time. 

NOTE: If you have a copy of Jeppesen Marine's Nobeltec Visual Navigation Suite 

(VNS) or Admiral installed on your system, eChart Planner will not install. 

Installing Nobeltec Software 

1. Insert the Tides & Currents CD into the disc drive in your computer. Installation 

should automatically start. 

NOTE: If the installation program does not automatically start, use the My Computer 

feature on your computer to browse to the CD files, and click setupvns.exe from the 

root directory of the CD files. 

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Tides & Currents. 

3. When prompted, enter the Tides & Currents serial number included with your 

purchase. 

4. 

In the screens that follow, enter your demographic information and proceed 

through the Installation Wizard to complete installation of Tides & Currents and 

eChart Planner. 

The default installation places Tides & Currents and eChart Planner icons on your 

desktop. 

WARNING: Windows 2000 and XP users must install and run the software while logged 

in with a User Name that has administrative privileges on that computer. 

3

Chapter 2 - Installation 


Tides & Currents Overview 3 

What is Tides & Currents? 

Jeppesen Marine's Nobeltec Tides & Currents is a revolutionary software tool that 

helps you know up-to-the-minute facts about the predicted tide height or current 

velocity. Knowledge of tides and currents is an important element of boating safety. 

Knowledge of tidal information is essential for navigating a shallow waterway or 

placing your boat at anchor. The success or failure of a voyage can depend on the 

height or depth of a tide, while knowledge of current information can save fuel and 

make passage into a river or channel safer. 

Tides & Currents goes further than the tables provided by the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). 

Tides & Currents automatically accounts for correction factors and provides instant 

information without requesting that you account for time lags, daylight savings 

conventions, or height differences between the reference stations and the locations 

you are seeking. In addition, Tides & Currents provides powerful aids like nearest 

location search, event searching, and data export. 

A Tides and Currents Primer 

Tides are defined as the vertical movement of water; currents are defined as the 

horizontal movement of water. Tides rise and fall, and currents flood and ebb. A 

flooding current flows toward shore, while an ebbing current flows away from shore. 

For example, the continuous current in a river is an ebbing current. 

Tides and currents are caused primarily by the gravitational forces of the moon and 

the sun on bodies of water, as well as by the rotational effects of the moon's orbit 

around the earth and the earth's orbit around the sun. Because the moon is closer to 

the earth, its tide-producing force is more than twice that of the sun. When the sun 

and moon are at opposite ends, or on the same side of the earth (during new and full 

moons), their combined gravitational forces produce the greatest tides. 

Other factors such as barometric pressure, rain, heat and wind contribute to tides 

and currents as well. For example, a continuous on-shore wind tends to raise the tide 

level and increase flooding currents. Meteorological effects on tides and currents can 

be visibly dramatic during storms. 

NOTE: Tides & Currents does not consider any weather-related factors or other 

unpredictable variables such as earthquake or volcanic activity when making tide or 

current predictions. 


5

Chapter 3 - Tides & Currents Overview 

How Do Tides and Currents Relate? 

It is important to note that the times for high and low tides do not necessarily 

coincide with slack water times. Nor do the times of maximum flood or ebb always 

coincide with the greatest change in tide. In locations with strong permanent 

currents, such as rivers, the times for slack water might be quite different from that of 

the corresponding high or low tide. 

What Are Predictions? 

NOAA and other agencies observe the tide and current at various stations 

throughout the world. Over a period of time, these observations are tabulated and 

reduced to a set of factors that, when summed, model the tide or current at that 

particular location. Each of these factors is called a harmonic constituent and is also 

based on the gravitational pull of the sun or moon. 

Tide stations that have harmonic constituent data available are called harmonic 

stations and are marked with an H in the Tides & Currents software. All other 

locations have time and value adjustments referencing a particular tidal station. 

The closest harmonic station name is identified in the second line of the prediction 

window for those locations. 

For the United States, NOAA currently uses up to 37 harmonic constituents for all 

locations except Anchorage, Alaska, where 128 harmonic constituents are used. The 

Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) uses up to 160 harmonic constituents for their 

stations. On average, 26 constants are available for most harmonic stations. 

If a tidal pattern is similar to that of a nearby station, time and height corrections are 

computed based on the nearby station. These stations are called secondary stations. 

Secondary stations usually print time and height corrections in the middle of 

standard tide books. Of the more than 8000 tide and current locations in the US that 

Tides & Currents predicts for, only approximately 160 are harmonic stations. 

Tides & Currents for Windows uses the harmonic constituents provided by NOAA and 

the CHS to compute tides and currents for harmonic stations. If the location you are 

viewing is a secondary station, Tides & Currents adjusts the tide or current time and 

value using existing published correction values. Tides & Currents displays data using 

the location title and the name of the harmonic station upon which it is based. 

How Does Tides & Currents Compare to Tide Books? 

Tide books provide as much information as they can in a small amount of space. 

Some newer tide books include graphs of tide and current values to provide a 

clearer picture of how the predicted tied or current behaves. However, no tide book 

can depict every location in tide tables as a graph or even as tabular predicted 

values. Tide books still require you to add or subtract time and height corrections 

to calculate values not within their standard chart range, and to use more complex 

math or guess at intermediate values. 


Tides & Currents doesn't require you to perform any computations to derive the 

correct information. The program displays a graph for each day, removing the 

guesswork from predicted values, and allows you to print virtually any kind of report 

that you want. You can combine tide and current graphs on the same page, or print 

multiple daily graphs on a single page. Monthly and three-month reports are also 

available. 

NOAA and Canadian Hydrographic Service Data 

Tides & Currents includes data from both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). The source of 

all data is clearly marked. NOAA provides time and value corrections for US as well as 

Canadian locations. All locations using NOAA time and value corrections are labeled 

(NOAA). Time and value corrections from the CHS are labeled (CHS). When two 

entries are provided for a location, each will be available and clearly marked (NOAA) 

or (CHS). 

Secondary tidal station time and height corrections from CHS are not available in 

electronic format. This does not greatly affect tides, because over 1000 harmonic 

stations are included in CHS data. For currents, however, there are 17 harmonic 

stations on the Canadian West coast, and only 3 on the East coast. 

Tides & Currents includes NOAA and CHS data to provide you with comparable, 

multiple data. In many cases, the NOAA and CHS data augment each other and 

should be considered together. Generally, harmonic data is more accurate and is 

recommended if available. 

Tidal Data Outside of North America 

Jeppesen Marine offers data regions for international tidal stations. International 

tidal station data is typically derived using the British Admiralty Simplified Harmonic 

model. All international tidal data is available on a single international tidal data CD. 

To purchase this data, contact your local marine dealer or Jeppesen Marine. 

Important Tides & Currents Qualifier 

Tides & Currents predictions are based on data from NOAA and CHS and are subject 

to the limitations of those agencies. 

Tides & Currents does not consider any weather-related factors or other 

unpredictable variables such as earthquake or volcanic activity when making tide 

or current predictions. Numerous unpredictable events might cause the tide to be 

higher or lower, or the current to be stronger or weaker. 

The following notice appears in the NOAA tables: 

"For the most part, tide predictions for US reference stations are based upon analysis of 

tide observations for periods of at least one year. Since the extremes of meteorological 


7

Chapter 3 - Tides & Currents Overview 

conditions have been excluded from the analysis and predictions, the predicted tidal 

heights should be considered those expected under average weather conditions. The 

mariner must be cautioned that during times when weather conditions differ from what 

is considered average for the area, corresponding differences between predicted levels 

and those actually observed will be noted. Generally, prolonged onshore winds or a low 

barometric pressure can produce higher levels than predicted, while the opposite can 

result in lower levels than those predicted." 


4 

eChart Planner Overview 

About eChart Planner 

Tides & Currents includes a copy of Jeppesen Marine's entry-level navigation 

planning software, Nobeltec eChart Planner. eChart Planner is automatically installed 

at the same time as Tides & Currents. 

eChart Planner is a stand-alone navigation software program primarily intended 

to display electronic charts for planning purposes. It also contains a link to Tides & 

Currents, allowing you to display tidal gauges and current arrows directly on top of 

your electronic charts. 

NOTE: Upgrading eChart Planner to one of Jeppesen Marine's more robust 

navigation software programs, Nobeltec Visual Navigation Suite (VNS) or Admiral, is 

easy, and provides you with many of the more sophisticated features of on-the-water 

navigation, such as integrated radar overlay with your charts, GPS and Autopilot 

integration, tracking your vessel's position and all potential targets or threats in realtime 

on top of electronic charts, sounder/depth data, heading, and much more. 

TIP: If you have a copy of Jeppesen Marine's Nobeltec Visual Navigation Suite (VNS) 

or Admiral installed on your system, eChart Planner will not install. 

eChart Planner Charts 

A set of small scale charts comes free with eChart Planner. For larger scale charts with 

harbor detail, contact your local marine dealer or Jeppesen Marine. 

eChart Planner is compatible with any of Jeppesen Marine's Nobeltec Passport 

Deluxe and Passport World Chart regions. In addition, you can purchase Passport 

Mini-Regions using the eChart Catalog wizard within the eChart Planner program. 

NOTE: eChart Catalog requires an Internet connection. 

Starting eChart Planner 

1. To start eChart Planner, select Start | Programs | Nobeltec | eChart Planner, or 

double-click the eChart Planner icon on your desktop. 

2. Until you register your software, the Nobeltec Online Tool will appear whenever 

you launch eChart Planner. Nobeltec Online Tool helps you register your software 

with Nobeltec through the Internet. The Nobeltec Online Tool registration 

process synchronizes your software program with the My Nobeltec online store. 

NOTE: Some eChart Planner features are not available until you register the 

software. 


9

Chapter 4 - eChart Planner Overview 

How Do I Use eChart Planner? 

After you register your copy of eChart Planner, you are ready to start electronic 

charting and route planning projects. Navigating eChart Planner is easy after you 

become familiar with a few key areas: 

Menus 

Chart 

Window 

Figure 4.1 - eChart Planner with Tide & Current Data 

10 Nobeltec Tides & Currents User's Guide 

Toolbars 

NavBar 

Main Menu Use the main menu to access eChart Planner's key features. 

Chart Window View electronic charts in this largest area of the screen. 

Pan and Zoom Use your left mouse button to pan and zoom in on the chart, and 

the right-mouse menu (using a right mouse-click) to display a 

context menu containing frequently used features. 

Toolbars Toolbar buttons are quick ways to access eChart Planner's 

multiple trip-planning features. 

NavBar Here you'll find additional features and information, including 

links to the eChart Catalog and other Jeppesen Marine Nobeltec 

products available through the Nobeltec online store. 

eChart Planner has many robust charting features, which are described in greater 

detail in the eChart Planner User's Guide file that comes with your software. 

Additionally, eChart Planner enables you to expand your existing charting and 

planning capabilities using Jeppesen Marine's online Nobeltec store, the eChart 

Catalog, and other features that can greatly enhance your navigation experience. 

The eChart Catalog 

One of the most useful features of eChart Planner is the ability to purchase smaller 

regions of Passport World Charts (called Passport Mini-Regions), additional software 

add-ons and more through the eChart Catalog. 

Launch eChart Catalog by clicking on the eChart Catalog button on the NavBar.

The Passport Charts Tab 

Passport Charts are broken into smaller, affordable Passport Mini-Regions for use 

with eChart Planner. Each mini-region contains approximately 5 to 20 highly detailed 

Passport charts. 

eChart Planner comes free with planning charts for the U.S. as well as a World map. 

There is also a DVD included in your Tides & Currents box containing the most recent 

Passport World Charts World Folio. However, you will need to purchase separate 

Chart Permits for each region or mini-region you wish to use with eChart Planner. 

To see available mini-regions and mini-region details: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Click the eChart Catalog button on the NavBar. 

Open the Passport Charts Tab to view available Passport Chart mini-regions. 

Click the View button to the left of each mini-region, or click in the region outline 

on the displayed map to see a list of available charts in each mini-region. 

To purchase a mini-region, place a check-mark in the Add check box. 

After you have selected the mini-regions that you want to purchase, click the 

Checkout button at the bottom of the region directory. 

eChart Catalog connects to the Nobeltec servers to generate Chart Permit codes. 

When this process is completed, insert the World Folio DVD that came with Tides 

& Currents to automatically install your newly purchased charts. 

The My Nobeltec Tab 

This tab of the eChart Catalog provides information about your specific version of the 

software, including your serial number and what software or data add-ons you have 

purchased, as well as which upgrade options are available for purchase. 

Figure 4.2 - My Nobeltec - no software add-ons purchased Figure 4.3 - My Nobeltec showing 2 items purchased. 

Use this page to review which products and charts you currently own and which 

upgrades or other charts are available. For more information about what is included 

with the add-ons, click the More Info buttons. 

TIP: If you are installing eChart Planner onto a second computer, My Nobeltec 


11

Chapter 4 - eChart Planner Overview 

automatically downloads and installs any unlock codes or software add-ons that you 

previously purchased. This occurs during the registration process. 


Starting Tides & Currents 

The default installation places a Tides & Currents icon on your desktop. 

1. To start Tides & Currents, either click the desktop icon or select Start | Programs | 

Nobeltec | Tides & Currents Pro. 

2. 

Using Tides & Currents 

Before Tides & Currents opens, the Disclaimer and License Agreement appears. 

Click I Agree to continue and open Tides & Currents. 

NOTE: You might want to remove the check-mark from the Show this screen the 

next time you start Tides & Currents check box. 

3. If you do not agree with the terms of the Software License Agreement, click the 

button labeled I Do Not Agree and the program will close. If you choose this 

option you may return the program to the original place of purchase within 30 days 

of the purchase date. 

4. After you proceed past the Disclaimer & License Agreement, a Welcome to Tides 

& Currents wizard opens. Use this wizard to select what type of tidal or current 

information that you want to view, or to open new tidal or current charts. 

NOTE: Place a check-mark in the Don't show this startup screen again check box if 

that you want to always open to a blank Tides & Currents window. 

Navigating the Tides & Currents Program 

The following describes the primary features, buttons, and menus of the Tides & 

Currents program. 

The Main Menu 

The Main Menu contains standard Microsoft Windows drop-down menus and submenus: 

File | Search | View | Time | Options | Window | Help. Use these standard 

menus to access many of the key functions of Tides & Currents. Some of the Main 

Menu features also can be accessed using standard Hot Key input (such as 

to open the File drop-down menu). 


5 

13

Chapter 5 - Using Tides & Currents 

Drop-Down Menus 

Every Tides & Currents command is available from one of the Main Menu drop-down 

menus. Use drop-down menus to: 

• 

• 

• 

Carry out commands when the ToolBar is turned off. 

Carry out commands without a mouse (Keyboard Shortcut/Hot Key). 

Carry out commands whose buttons are not currently displayed on the ToolBar. 

ToolBars 

The ToolBar refers collectively to the set of icon-based ToolBars that span across the 

top of the Tides & Currents window directly beneath the Main Menu. Click any button 

in the ToolBar to select a specific function. 

NOTE: Many of the same ToolBar functions can also be selected from the Main 

Menu by clicking File, Edit, View, and so on. 

The Help & Config ToolBar 

Use the Help & Config ToolBar to configure your settings and access program-specific 

help. 

Click the Config ToolBar button to open the Configuration Options window and 

perform the following functions: 

• Organize the layout and general setup options for the Tides & Currents program. 

• Determine which of the available ToolBars to display and how they should appear 

• Set up your Keyboard Shortcuts (Hot Keys). 

• Set up which type of Units are used in Tides & Currents windows. 

• Establish Time format (12 or 24 hour clock). 

• Establish Daylight Savings settings. 

• Establish graphic setup. 

• Establish color setup. 

• 

Establish startup display information. 



By default, the ToolBar uses a subset of all the buttons available to fit on a standard 

VGA display. The following is a review of the other ToolBars and how they work. 

The Open & Print ToolBar 

Tide: Opens a new tide window and prompts you for a new location. Several tide and 

current windows might be open at once for quick reference. 

Current: Opens a new current window and prompts you for a new location. Several 

tide and current windows might be open at once for quick reference. 

Location Group: Lets you define a set of locations and open them all at once. 

Print: Print a report of the predictions. 

Quick print: Print the contents of the active window. 

The Change Day ToolBar 

Previous month: Change the prediction date to one month before the present date. 

Previous day: Change the prediction date to one day before the present day. 

Set Date: Manually input the date for which that you want tide or current 

predictions. 

Next day: Change the prediction date to one day after the present day. 

Next month: Change the prediction date to one month after the present date. 

The Advanced Tools ToolBar 

Find Nearest Station: Search by latitude and longitude coordinates to find the 


15

nearest tidal locations. 

Event Searching: Search for a given event such as high tide or minimum current. 

Data Export: Select certain data from the active tide or current window and export it 

to the clipboard, to a file, or to a result table. 

Real Time: Customize your settings to show minute-by-minute tide and current 

changes for selected locations. After you set up the real time window, display it 

over the top of your other Windows programs (electronic charting, word processor, 

spreadsheet, etc.) 

Electronic Chart Display: Launch the Visual Planner and display the tide or current 

station that you are viewing right on top of your electronic chart. 

The Other Tools ToolBar 

Location change: Change the location displayed in the window. If the window you 

start with is a tide window, this feature lets you display tides for a new location. If you 

start with a current window, the system displays currents for the new location. 

Tide define: Define a location for tidal height predictions that is not in the furnished 

list of locations (create and edit custom tide locations). 

Current define: Define a location for tidal current predictions that is not in the 

furnished list of locations. 

Notes: View the official NOAA and other General notes on the location you've 

selected, or add your own User notes. 

Table on/off: Display a tide or current table beside the graph. 

Info on/off: This tool performs the following functions: 

• 

• 

• 

• 


Adds a graphic and text showing the phase of the moon. 

Adds a table showing times and values for slack water and maximum floods 

and ebbs. 

Adds a table of data about average maximum values of floods and ebbs for 

the date. 

Adds a table for daily tidal highs, lows and averages. 

Weekly on/off: Display a second graph showing the tides or currents for a full week 

in addition to the graph for date selected. 


Opening a Tide or Current Window 

When you first start the Tides & Currents program, you are prompted to choose a 

location by the Welcome to Tides & Currents wizard. 

To accurately display tidal or current station information, you must tell the program 

exactly which location you are seeking. After you have retrieved tidal information for 

a specific location, use the Change Location button on the ToolBar or File | Change 

Location to open a new tide or current window for a different location. 

To select an exact location without using the Welcome to Tides & Currents wizard: 

1. Click the Tide or Current ToolBar button to open a new tide or current window, 

or select File | New Tide Window or File | New Current Window. 

2. Choose your regional location from the list of Regions on the left. 

3. Click the map to select that region. 

4. A list of specific locations within that region appears in the Locations window on 

the right. Highlight a specific location from the region Location list. 

5. Click OK. The tide or current data for that location appears in a tide or current 

window. 

TIP: You may open multiple location windows at a time, and expand them to full 

screen, cascade them on top of each other, or tile them horizontally or vertically. 

Tide and Current Windows 

Each tide and current window contains a tide or current graph. These graphs contain 

additional information, such as daily and weekly views of a station, sun and moon 

rise and set, moonphase, tidal tables, and so on. 

Right-click a tide or current window to open a pop-up menu with some of the most 

common options for a Tide station, or use the ToolBar buttons or Main Menu dropdown 

options to navigate this window. 

Tidal Datums 

• 

• 

• 

NOAA Stations: NOAA uses MLLW or Mean Low Lower Water as the tidal datum. 

CHS Stations: The Canadian tidal stations use LNT or Lowest Normal Tide as the 

tidal datum. 

British Admiralty Stations: Stations outside of North America are derived from 

the British Admiralty Simplified Harmonic Data set. These stations use the LAT or 

Lowest Astronomical Tide as the tidal datum. 

Current Directions 

All directions in Tides & Currents are expressed in relation to true North, not magnetic 

North. 


17


Other Location Information 

Some Tide & Current Location entries show an "H" to the right of the location name, 

or a small "N" or "U" symbol to the left of the location name. 

• H means that data for this location is from tidal stations that have harmonic 

constituent data available (called harmonic stations). 

• N means that an official NOAA note is available for this location. 

• U means a user note is available for this location. 

Click the Notes button to view the note. 

When you open a tide or current station, you can also search by name or by Station 

ID. 


Groups 

If you frequently open graphs for the same set of locations, you can group these 

locations, name the group, and then recall the group with a single action. Groups 

allow you to quickly open a set of tidal or current data for a specific location or 

multiple locations. Groups also help you switch to another location for planning 

purposes without having to close all open graphs for one location and open all the 

graphs for the new location manually. 

Creating a Group 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Open a tide or current location. 

The system opens a graph for each selected location. Arrange the windows on 

the screen as you would like them to appear each time you open the group. 

TIP: Establishing Groups also preserves window position and scale. 

Click File | Groups. 

Click Create Group. 

Figure 5.1 - The Groups Window 

5. Enter a name for your Group in the Create Group pop-up window. 

6. Click OK. Your new Group name will now appear in the Group Definitions field. 

TIP: Double click the Group folder to list the locations in the Group. 

7. Click Done to close this window. 

Opening a Group of Graphs 

To view all of the graphs included in a Group. 

1. 

Select File | Groups. 


19

2. 

3. 


In the Group Definitions field, click the name of the Group that you want to view. 

Click Open Group. The graphs for all locations named in the Group will appear. 

NOTE: Place a check-mark in the Close all open windows before opening Group to 

display only the locations associated with the Group. Otherwise the Group will open 

on top of all currently open locations. 

Adding Locations to a Group 

To add locations to an existing Group: 

1. Open all of the locations that you want to add to an existing Group. 

2. Select File | Groups. 

3. In the Group Definitions field, click the name of the Group that you want to add 

the new locations to. 

4. Click Update Group. 

5. Click Add New Open Locations to Group. 

6. Click OK. 

7. From the Groups window click Done. 

Removing Part of a Group 

To remove specific locations from the Group: 

1. Open the Group. 

2. Close the windows for the locations that you want to remove. 

3. Click Update Group to replace the Group. 

Removing an Entire Group 

To remove a Group: 


2. In the Group Definitions field click the name of the Group to remove. 

3. Click Delete Group. 

4. Click Done. 

Opening a Single Location From a Group 

You can open a single location within a Group by double-clicking that location. 


2. In the Group Definitions field double-click the name of the desired Group. 

3. 

A list of all the Tides and Currents locations in that Group appears beneath the 

Group name. Double-click the location that you want to view. 


Nearest Location/Custom Location 

You can find all tide and current locations within a certain range of a specific location 

already opened. 

You can also use Tides & Currents to search for locations within a specified radius 

from a custom location that you define by its latitude and longitude. 

Locations that meet your specifications appear in increasing order of distance from 

the source location in a table that you can print or export. 

Finding the Nearest Location 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Or 

4. 

Open the location for which that you want to find other nearby locations. 

Click the Nearest button on the Advanced Tools ToolBar, or choose Search | 

Nearest Location Search from the Main Menu. The Search for Nearest Locations 

dialog box opens. 

Figure 5.2 - Search for Nearest Locations Window 

To begin the search at an Open Location: 

a. 

b. 

Click the Open Location radio button. 

Choose the location from which the search will begin from the drop-down 

list. 

To begin the search at a Custom Location: 

a. 

b. 

Click the Custom Location radio button. 

Enter the latitude and longitude of the custom location, taking care to enter 

the leading zeros. 

TIP: To exclude tidal or current locations, remove the check-marks from the Find 

Nearest Tide Locations or Find Nearest Current Locations check boxes. 


21

5. 

6. 


Set your Search Parameters for a tide or current location search: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Place a check-mark in the Find Nearest Tide or Current Locations check box. 

Enter the radius of your search in nautical miles in the Range field (1 to 250 

nautical miles). The program looks for other locations only within this radius 

of the base location, based on mercator distance. Distance and bearing are 

from the selected or specified coordinates. 

Click the Search all Tide/Current regions radio button to include every tide 

or current region in the Tides & Currents data base in your search; 

or 

Click the Search single Tide/Current region radio button to limit the search 

to only tide or current regions named in the drop-down menu. 

Select the tide/current region that you want to search from the drop-down 

menu. 

Click Search. A result table opens, listing specific locations or Lat/Lon coordinates 

in increasing order of distance from the specified origin location. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Figure 5.3 - Nearest Current Locations Results Table 

Tide locations are drawn in yellow and current locations in blue. 

Open a graph for any location in the list by double-clicking on that location 

in the result table, or by highlighting the location and clicking Open. 

Print the result table by selecting Print from the ToolBar or select File | Print. 

Click Save to save these results to your computer clipboard or an ASCII, SYLK, 

or DIF format file. 


Creating Custom Locations 

WARNING: To create Custom Locations, you should have local knowledge of tide 

and current values. Tides & Currents cannot compute values based on latitude and 

longitude coordinates alone. 

Adding Custom Locations 

The Custom Tide and Current Location function enables you to enter your own 

corrections for locations not included in the program. 

TIP: Make sure to name your custom location so as to not overwrite existing data. 

All of the data included in Tides & Currents is based on data provided by NOAA and 

CHS. This means that occasionally, no data is available specific to a particular location. 

However, if you know the time and ratio corrections from a NOAA or CHS location, 

you can enter those values using the Custom Locations function and request that 

Tides & Currents prepare predictions just as for any other location. 

After you have created custom locations, the system places them into a custom 

region that can then be selected from your location search. You can add section 

headers to segregate or delineate the data to suit your preferences. Custom location 

windows are distinguished by a pencil image that appears to the left of the location 

description in the Location Search window. 

Before entering custom corrections, make sure that you have accurate data to enter: 

• For tides, the time correction, as well as the height or ratio corrections for high 

and low tide corrections are required. 

• 

For currents, the times for minimum before flood, flood, minimum before ebb, 

and ebb, as well as ratio corrections for flood and ebb are required. 

WARNING: Make sure that you verify the data that you enter before using the 

predicted data and reports. Because the program uses the corrections you provide 

based on a reference station, make sure that the reference station is correct. There is 

no way for Tides & Currents to know whether the corrections that you enter are correct. 

Tides & Currents does not compute tide or current based solely on latitude and 

longitude. Because Tides & Currents always uses the correction values precisely as 

you provide them, again, make certain your correction values are correct. 


23

Custom Tide Locations 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 


Click the Tide Def ToolBar button or select Options | Custom Tide Locations. 

Click New Location to add a new custom location. 

A reference location must be selected to use as a template for your new Custom 

Location. If any tide windows are open, you will be prompted to select from a list 

of open locations, or from all available locations. Choose a location from the list 

provided and click OK. 

To edit an existing Custom Location, highlight that location and click Edit. 

The Edit Custom Tide Location window opens. 

Figure 5.4 - Edit Custom Tide Location Window 

In the Custom Name field, enter or change the name to one that you will 

recognize. Logically, this should help you identify the location without confusing 

it with the reference location. 

In the Corrections field, enter the time, height and ratio corrections. 

Positive values are added, and negative values are subtracted. To toggle the time 

from positive or negative, click the plus or minus symbol to the left of the time 

adjustment fields. 

Adjust the latitude and longitude of the location. 

If the initial reference location you chose is incorrect, click Start With to specify a 

new reference location. 

Verify that the values are correct, then click OK. 


Tide Correction Values 

Time 

• High Water: Add or subtract time to the time of high water at the reference 

station. 

• Low Water: Add or subtract time to the time of low water at the reference 

station. 

Height (feet) 

• High Water: Add or subtract feet (in increments of .10) to high tide values from 

the reference station. 

• Low Water: Add or subtract feet (in increments of .10) to low tide values from the 

reference station. 

Height (ratio) 

• High Water: Multiply the high tide by this ratio (1.00 = 100%) 

• 

Low Water: Multiply the low tide by this ratio (1.00 = 100%) 

To remove any of the correction values from your calculations, remove the checkmark 

from the Use check box beneath any value that you want to omit. 

NOTE: If both feet and ratio adjustments are entered, the program first multiplies 

the ratio to the value and then adds or subtracts the feet. 

Figure 5.5 - Edit Custom Tide Locations - Correction Values 


25


Custom Current Locations 

1. Click Current Def from the ToolBar or choose Options | Custom Current 

Locations. 

2. From the Setup Custom Current Locations window, click New Location to add 

a new custom location. You must select a reference location to use as a template 

for your new Custom Location. If any current windows are open, the system 

prompts you to select from a list of open locations, or from all available locations. 

3. Choose a location from the list provided and click OK. 

4. To edit an existing Custom Location, highlight that location and click Edit. 

5. The Edit Custom Current Location window opens. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

Figure 5.6 - Edit Custom Current Location Window 

In the Custom Name field, enter or change the name to one that you will 

recognize. Logically, this should help you identify the location without confusing 

it with the reference location. 

Enter the Time, Direction, Avg. Max. Velocity, and Speed Ratio corrections. 

Positive values are added, and negative values are subtracted. To toggle the time 

from positive or negative, click the plus or minus symbol to the left of the time 

adjustment fields. 

Adjust the latitude and longitude of the location. 

If the initial reference location you chose is incorrect, click Start With to select a 

new reference location. 

Verify that all values are correct, and then click OK. 


Current Correction Values 

Correction values are for Minimum Before Flood, Flood, Minimum Before Ebb, and 

Ebb currents. Speed Ratio values only apply to Flood and Ebb. All fields for any of the 

values must be filled in correctly or an error message will appear. 

To remove any of the correction values from your calculations, remove the checkmark 

from the check box next to the value that you want to omit. 

Time 

• Minimum before Flood: Add to or subtract from time of slack or minimum 

before flood at reference station. 

• Flood: Add to or subtract from time of flood at reference station. 

• Minimum before Ebb: Add to or subtract from time of slack or minimum before 

ebb at reference station. 

• Ebb: Add to or subtract from time of ebb at reference station. 

Direction 

Enter the direction of the current at the different stages. 

Average Max Velocity 

Enter the average maximum velocity at the different stages of the tidal current. 

Speed Ratio 

• Flood: Multiply the flood velocity at reference station by this ratio (1.00 = 100%). 

• Ebb: Multiply the ebb velocity at reference station by this ratio (1.00 = 100%). 

Adding a Section Header 

You can add section headers to organize your custom locations. These headers 

appear in the Custom Current field in red letters. To add a section header: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Click New Section. 

Type a description of the section. 

Click OK. 

To move the section header or any of the locations up or down in priority, 

highlight the entry and click Move Entry Up or Move Entry Down. 


27

Event Search 


Event Search looks for tide or current events. 

• 

• 

Tide events are high tide, low tide, tidal swing, or an absolute tide value. 

Current events are flood currents, ebb currents, time of slack water, current swing, 

and an absolute current value. 

An event search could tell you the highest tide that will occur during 2007 at Cocos 

Island, Costa Rica, for example. Or the time and velocity of the maximum current 

under the Golden Gate bridge on December 25, 2008. 

Event Searching Procedure 

To search for a specific event: 

1. Open a tide or current window for the location that you want to search. 

2. Click the Event ToolBar button (or select Search | Event Search). 

3. The Search for Event window opens. Enter your search parameters in the Search 

for Event window. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Figure 5.7 - Search for Event Window 

Click Search. The search might take a few seconds or several minutes, depending 

on the date range you select. 

After the search is completed, a result table opens, displaying results in 

descending order, from oldest event to newest. 

You can save this result table, search again, change fonts or open a tide or current 

window for any of the listed events in the result table. 


Available Event Search Parameters 

The following are all parameters available for your search. 

Location 

All currently open locations are listed in this drop-down 

menu. Select a location for the event search. 

Search For Current Options 

Flood Currents 

Ebb Currents 

Times of Slack Water 

Current Swings 

Current Values 

Tide Options 

High Tides 

Low Tides 

Tidal Swings 

Tide Values 

Value GREATER OR EQUAL TO 

LESS OR EQUAL TO 

GREATEST VALUE 

SMALLEST VALUE 

Variable Field Choices available depend on Value settings 

Current Speed in Knots or Feet or Tide Height in Feet 

For entire date range 

For each year 

For each month 

For each day 

Date Range (Start) Enter the start date of your event search. 

Date Range (End) Enter the last day for which the search will be run. 

To limit your search to a specific time-period of each day, 

Specify Time of Day place a check-mark in this check box and enter the start and 

end times in these two fields. 

Search Click this button to start the search. 


29


Event Search Hints 

When performing event searches: 

• The search tool produces data exactly according to the criteria you enter. For 

example, if you construct a search for high tides with smallest value for each 

month, the program will search for the lowest high tides. This is not the same as 

the lowest low tides. 

• Searching for absolute values might take longer than searching for extreme 

values. This is because a search for absolute values returns both the starting and 

ending time that the tide or current is greater or less than the value entered. 

• To stop the search before it is done, click Stop. 

Advanced Event Searching 

• To limit event searching to a specific time range, place a check-mark in the 

Specify Time of Day check box and enter a time range to confine the search to 

that range. 

• To modify your most recent search, click the Search button at the top of the 

results table. This opens the Search for Event window with all of your previous 

parameters intact. Edit the criteria as needed and search again. 

• 

NOTE: New results overwrite the old in the results table. 

A Slack Water Duration search is one that searches the period of time when the 

tidal current in knots is equal to or less than the slack water value as determined 

in the Configuration window, Graphing options. Tides & Currents measures the 

length of time that a current is slack, and does not consider direction of the 

current flood or ebb. The default value for Slack Water Definition is 0.1 knots. 

Printing an Event Search Results Table 

The Print button (or File | Print Report from the Main menu) opens a Print Report 

window, from which you can set up print options and table layout. 

Click Quick Print to immediately send the open results table to your default printer. 

This option uses all default printer settings currently established for Tides & Currents. 

Results Table Buttons 

• Search: Open the Search for Event window, with all previous search parameters 

intact. 

• Open: Select an event listed in the results table and then click Open to open a 

tide or current window for that event. 

• Font: Open the Font dialog box, where you can change how fonts appear in the 

results table. 

• 

Save: Open the Save Tabular Window Data window. Table results can be saved to 

your computer's clipboard, or a file in DIF, SYLK, or ASCII text format. 


Exporting Event Search Results to Clipboard or File 

When you click Save from the results table, the Save Tabular Window Data dialog 

box opens. Use this dialog box to export the contents of the results table to the 

clipboard or a file. 

Results data can be saved in DIF, SYLK, ASCII delimited, or ASCII fixed length formats. 

DIF and SYLK formats do not use the delimiters. 

For ASCII files, choose record and field parameters as needed. If you choose a field 

delimiter of None, all fields in the file are saved using default table widths. 

TIP: To get the best results when exporting to ASCII fixed length, choose Courier 

12-point font and adjust the column widths in the search results window. 

Click Save to export the table results. Choosing Courier 12-point font is the best 

format if that you want the exported results table to mimic the widths of the fields 

within the software. 

Some applications do not support clipboard imports of DIF or SYLK format files. 

Experiment with the file layout that best suits your existing applications. 


31


Real Time Display 

Real Time Display lets you track tides and currents while you are using other software 

programs. Set up the Real Time window to display predicted tides and currents for 

specific locations. The display window updates periodically with the latest predictions 

based on your computer's system time. Real Time Display can be set to appear 

"always on top" of whichever window you are working in, or it can be set to run in 

the background, ready to be called up with a single keystroke. 

Real Time Display Setup 

The first time that you run Real Time, you will be prompted to set up your Real Time 

window and display options. To do so: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Click Real Time or choose Options | Real Time Window. 

An empty Real Time Tides & Currents window opens. Click Setup. 

The Real Time Setup window opens. This window is where you set up your Real 

Time parameters. Set up the fields according to your requirements. 

Click OK. The system opens the resulting Real Time Tides & Currents window, 

populated with the locations you selected, and begins updating tide and current 

predictions automatically. 

Real Time Window Setup Fields 

Field Name Function 

Add Tide/Current Opens the Add a Tide Station or Add a Current Station 

window. Choose the locations for which that you want to 

track tide and current predictions. 

Add Windows Opens the Add Open Locations to Real Time Window, 

which lists all open location windows. 

Delete Entry Removes any highlighted tide or current location from the 

Real Time Window Location field. 

Delete All Deletes all locations from the Real Time Window Location 

field. 

Window always 

on top 

Show next tide or 

current change 

Check this check box if that you want the Real Time Tides 

and Current window to always be on top of any other open 

programs on your screen. Remove this check-mark to keep 

the Real Time window in the background. Use to 

bring the Real Time window into the foreground. 

Check this check box to include next tide, next extreme tide 

(high or low), or next current change (flood, ebb or slack). 



Remember 

window position 

Update every ## 

minutes 

Check this check box to keep the Real Time window in the 

same location on your screen. If you remove this check-mark, 

the window will always appear in the upper left corner of 

your screen upon startup. 

Set the frequency at which the Real Time Display updates 

tide or current information. This field can range from 1 to 15 

minutes in one-minute increments. 

Change Font Select from any of the font settings in the Font window 

(Font, Style and size). 

Figure 5.8 - Real Time Tides & Currents Window 

Real Time Tides & Currents Buttons and Fields 


Push Pin Icon Use this button to place window on top (pin in) or run in 

background (pin out) 

Setup Displays the Real Time Window Setup window 

Close Turns off the display 

Up arrow Rising tide 

Down arrow Falling tide 

Left arrow Ebbing current 

Right arrow Flooding current 

Circular arrows Rotary current 

Hyphen Slack water 

Right side of display Time until next extreme tide or current 


33



Types of Reports 

You can print Tides & Currents reports in two ways: 

• Quick Print. Use this method to print the contents of the active tide or current 

window precisely as displayed. 

• Formatted Reports. Use this method to print reports using one of several type 

and layout options. Report type dictates how much information is shown in the 

report. Format options define how the printed report is presented. Five report 

types are available, although not all formats are available for each report type. 

Quick Print Reports 

You can use Quick Print to print a capture of a daily graph or results table that is 

currently on top of your Tides & Currents display window, and send the screen 

capture to your computer's default printer. 

1. Ensure that the window that you want to print is currently open and is the active 

window. 

2. Click the Quick Print (Quick Prn) ToolBar button or select File | Quick Print. 

The window contents will be sent to the printer without requesting any 

additional layout information from you. 

Formatted Reports 

The Print Report option provides a variety of ways to print daily, monthly, 3-month, 

customized or text-only reports or graphs. 

Formatted Report Types 

Report Type Description Format Options 

Daily Report 

Monthly Report 

Printing Reports 6 

Prints daily tide or current graph in any 

graphic format 

Prints a monthly graph based on a date 

or date range that you specify. Shows 

time and magnitude of each day's 

extreme tides or currents as well as 

monthly averages and extremes. 

Tides: Daily tidal extremes. 

Currents: Daily slack, flood, and ebb. 


• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Bar Graph 

Filled Graph 

Smooth Graph 

Bar Graph 

Filled Graph 

Smooth Graph 

Text Only 

35

Chapter 6 - Printing Reports 

Report Type Description 

The report begins on the first day of the 

selected month and prints data for that 

month and the subsequent two months. 

Format Options 

3 Month Report Currents: Daily time of maximum ebb 

and flood and current velocity. 

Tides: Daily time and height of each high 

and low tide. 

• Text Only 

Custom Report 

Notes Report 

Use this format to customize the contents 

of any report and include tide and 

current locations on the same page. 

Prints any NOAA notes, general notes, 

or user-created notes as defined for this 

location. 

36 Nobeltec Tides & Currents User's Guide 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Bar Graph 

Filled Graph 

Smooth Graph 

Text Only 

Text Only 

Format Options 

The following are available options for your report: 

• Bar graph. Curve-based graph composed of a series of vertical bars rising above 

and falling below the zero line. 

• Filled graph. Solid color fills the area between the curve and the zero line. 

• Smooth graph. Highs and lows traced out by a single line. 

• Tabulated data. A table containing tide heights and current velocity. 

Custom Reports 

The Custom Report option is used for printing a variety of reports, including a span 

of dates, a combination of tide and current locations and other non-standard report 

layout options. Use the following tips for best results: 

• Make sure that you set your Custom Report Options rows and columns to allow 

for printing more than one graph per page. 

• To print more than one location on the same page, make sure that New Page per 

location is unchecked. 

• Note that printing starts at the earliest date requested. 

• You can mix tide and current locations on the custom report by selecting both 

tide and current locations to print at the same time. 

• 

To print a weekly view of multiple locations, set number of rows to 2, number 

of columns to 7; make sure your date range covers the week specified. Set your 

paper orientation to landscape.

Printing a Formatted Report 

To print a printed report: 

1. Open all tide or current graphs for the locations that you want to include in your 

printed report. 

2. Click Print from the ToolBar or select File | Print Report. 

3. The Print Report window opens. Use the Print Report window to: 

• Select which open locations to print. 

• The type and format of the report. 

• Set report fonts. 

• Establish page layout. 

• Establish your print setup. 

• Access the Report Options window for more detailed specifications. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

Figure 6.1 - Print Report Window 

Click Preview to display an approximate image of the first page of the report. 

Use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons to preview the report in detail. 

Click Close to return to the Print Report window. 

After you are satisfied with your settings, click Print to print the report. 

NOTE: The preview will display in color if you place a check-mark in the Print 

Reports In Color check box, even if you do not have a color printer. 

NOTE: Only the first page of a report appears in the preview. 


37


Other Print Report Fields 

Locations to Print. This field displays all open locations. Highlight the locations to 

place in the report, or hold down and click each location that you want to 

print. You can also click and drag your mouse to select all locations. 

Report Date. Select one of these two radio buttons. If you select Range, adjust the 

Start and End dates to print your reports for the desired range. 

Preview. Click to display an approximate version of the first page of the report. 

Move Up and Move Down. Use these buttons to move the open Locations to Print 

up or down the displayed locations to print list to create a customized print order. 

The location at the top of the list prints first. Each subsequent location prints in 

descending order. Locations not selected will not print. 

Report Options. Opens the Report Options window, where you can customize in 

greater detail the report's appearance and format. 

Report Fonts. Select font, font style and font size of printed report. 

Page Setup. Use to set margins and orientation (portrait or landscape) of the report. 

Printer Setup. Select from available printers where to send the report and the 

settings for this print job. 

Report Options 

To set up report options: 

1. Click Report Options to open the Report Options window. 

The Report Options is divided into four parts: General Report Options, Custom 

Report Options, Print Preview, and Bitmap Information. 

2. Place a check-mark in the check-boxes next to any option that you want to 

include in your print settings. 

3. 

Figure 6.2 - Report Options Window 

When you are satisfied with your settings click OK to return to the Print Report. 


General Report Options 

General Report Options Description 

Include grid on report Prints report over a gridded background. 

Include daily detail every 

XX (5-60) minutes 

Set the time distance between data points. 

Include sunrise/sunset Select to include sunrise and sunset points for each 

day in the report. 

Include sunrise/sunset 

shading 

Display shaded indicators of sunrise and sunset. 

Include moonrise/ 

moonset 

Include moon graphic 

every (day or quarter) 

Include moonrise and moonset points for each day 

in the report. 

Display moon phase for each day in the report or per 

quarter phase (full, wax, wane, or new) 

Include range lines Display the range limits in the report. 

Include range line shading Display a shaded range limit for each location and 

day in the report. 

Include daily extremes 

(below or on graph) 

Display daily extremes (high/low tide or ebb/flood/ 

slack current) either beneath or overlaid on daily 

graphic. 

Include area for notes Include a blank area beneath each day for every 

location included in the printed report. 

Custom Report Options 

You can print custom reports for more than one location and for a span of days (not 

necessarily a month or three months). The custom report page is divided into rows 

and columns. Each section contains a tide or current graph for an individual day. 

Custom Report Options Description 

New page per location Starts a new page for each location selected in the 

Locations to Print field of the Print Report window. 

Rows per page Select from 1-4 rows to print per page. 

Columns per page Select from 1-7 columns to print per page. 

Custom layout report Display how the your row and column selections will 

appear when printed full size. 


39


Bitmap Information Options 

Tides & Currents report options allow you to include a bitmap (.BMP) at the bottom 

of your reports, which can be scaled from 0.10 inches to 2.0 inches depending upon 

the settings you establish using Report Options. 

Use the Bitmap Information section of the Report Options window to browse for a 

specific graphic, such as a company logo, to include at the bottom of each printed 

page. 

Place a check-mark in the Include Bitmap in footer check box to activate this 

section. 

Choose a location and height for your Bitmap, and use the Browse button to open a 

Select Report Bitmap window from which you can search for the bitmap that you 

want to include in your printed report. 

The Report Fonts Window 

To set up report fonts: 

1. Click Report Fonts to open the Report Fonts window. 

2. Select from one of the possible fonts listed (Date, Title or Body) to change the 

fonts, font styles and font sizes used in the printed reports if you do not want to 

use the default fonts. 

You can revise the values in the following font fields: 

• Date Font is the large date located in the header of the report. 

• Title Font is all other text in the header of your report. 

• The Body Font includes all other text in the body of your report. 

• Auto-size font tells the program to dynamically choose a standard font size 

suited to your layout options. 

• Use specified size changes the default size settings to those you set up in the 

Font window for each font field. 

• Click Defaults to return all font values to the program default values. 

• 

Click OK to return to the Print Report window. 


Troubleshooting Printed Reports 

If the printed report is not producing what you expected, try the following: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Carefully check all of your settings. 

Make sure you have installed the most recent printer driver from your printer 

manufacturer. Most printer problems reported are the result of outdated printer 

driver software. 

Make sure you have properly installed and set up the printer that you want to 

use. Confirm your settings by selecting File | Printer Setup. 

Your printer must be capable of printing full page graphics. 

If you have successfully printed in the past, but for no apparent reason are unable 

to print, try renaming the file C:\Program Files\Nobeltec\Visual Series\TIDES.INI to 

TIDES.OLD. 

NOTE: Renaming this file will cause Tides & Currents to run with default 

settings. 

Printing to an EPS File 

Many typesetting programs that print to Postscript printers use the EPS 

(Encapsulated PostScript) format to import images. Note that EPS files are valid only 

when printing to a printer that is Postscript compatible. You can create EPS files from 

any application, including Tides & Currents, using Windows Postscript printer drivers. 

Make sure a Postscript printer driver is loaded. If not, follow the instructions in the 

Windows reference manuals for adding a new printer driver. 

Report Permissions 

All reports generated by Tides & Currents are copyrighted by Jeppesen Marine. and 

may not be reproduced without written permission from Jeppesen Marine unless the 

following conditions are met: 

1. Credit must be given to Jeppesen Marine with the words, "Reports were generated 

by Tides & Currents for Windows from Jeppesen Marine (503) 579-1414." 

2. 

Reports may NOT be altered in any way. For example, you must preserve the 

Jeppesen Marine reference that appears in the report footer. 


41



Exporting Data 7 

Uses of Exported Data 

The Export Data function saves the data produced by Tides & Currents in a format 

that can be imported by spreadsheet programs, word processors or database 

applications. You can export data for one location at a time. 

Export directly to clipboard or file and save the information in ASCII delimited format, 

or view the formatted data in a results table and adjust the format before saving the 

data to your clipboard or a file. 

You can save data from any of the results tables in a number of formats. Exported 

data consists of the fields selected as Target Fields in the Export Data window. 

Export Formats 

Tides & Currents can export a daily graph in any of the following formats: 

Field Type Description 

ASCII Delimited ASCII delimited is the most common method of transferring 

data from one application to another. You might need to 

write a custom program to import the data exported. The 

fields and lines can be separated with custom delimiters. 

ASCII Fixed ASCII fixed causes the data to be stored in fixed nondelimited 

fields. For the fields to line up in columns, make 

sure to set field delimiter to (none) and choose a fixed width 

font in the results table. 

DIF Data Interchange Format is one of the original spreadsheet 

export and import formats. Most older spreadsheets support 

DIF files. 

SYLK Symbolic Link format is used by many spreadsheets to 

transfer data. This format transfers both data and cell width 

information. 

If your importing application does not support any of the above formats, you may 

need to write a conversion routine. 

NOTE: If you export in either ASCII format, view the data using the Clipboard. The 

Clipboard cannot display SYLK or DIF formats. 


43

Chapter 7 - Exporting Data 

Exporting Tide or Current Predictions 

To export your tide or current predictions: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

Open the tide or current location window that you want to export. 

Click Export or select File | Export Data. 

The Export Data window opens. Use this window to specify which fields to 

include in the export and set specific field parameters. 

Figure 7.1 - Export Data Window 

After you have set up your export parameters, click Export to export the data. 

The data will be sent to a destination you specify: results table, clipboard, or file. 

If you selected to export to a tabular results window (results table), a Data Export 

window opens displaying the data fields you specified. Use the Data Export 

window to preview your exported data. 

Adjust column widths by dragging the column header separator bars. 

You can Save the results table or click Export to return to the Export Data 

window and add or subtract fields to edit your export. 

When you click Save, the Save Tabular Data window opens. 

Select the Save To Clipboard radio button to specify that the clipboard is the 

destination. 

Some programs will not import data from the Clipboard, in that case, you will 

need to save the data to a file. 

Select the Save to File radio button to save the export to a file, browse to a file 

location, and enter a file name in the provided field. 

Click OK to export the file as specified. 


Export Data Field Options 

The following options are available when exporting data: 


Location Select a location from the list of open locations shown in the dropdown 

list. 

Export data to • Select tabular results window to display the data in a 

spreadsheet-like format. 

• Select Clipboard to copy all text and paste into a viewer such as 

WordPad. 

• Select the File radio button to Browse to a specific file in which 

to save the exported data. 

Date Range Enter Start and End dates for the location data being exported. 

Tide Value • Check Highs/Lows Only to report the times and values of high 

and low tides occurring within the date range specified. 

• Check Tides Every and select a time interval (1 minute–1 hour) 

from the drop-down list. 

Include Header This choice is available only if you chose to export the data to the 

clipboard or to a file. The header is an initial record containing the 

name of the location and the date range of the exported data. 

Source Fields/ Select the fields to place in your export report by highlighting the 

Target Fields field in the Source Fields window and clicking Select Field to move 

that data into the Target Fields window. To remove a field from the 

Target Fields, highlight the field and click Delete Field. Delete All 

clears the Target Field list. 

Available Source Field options are: 

• Date • Month • Day 

• Year • Day of Week • Day of Year 

• Time • Hours • Minutes 

• Value • Value Type • Direction 

• Sunrise • Sunset • Moonrise 

• 

Moonset • Moon Quarter • Moon Phase 

After you complete your selection, the Target Fields list contains all 

fields to be exported. 

The top entry in the Target Fields list will be the left-most column; 

the bottom entry the right-most column. 


45

Chapter 7 - Exporting Data 


Repeats Use the Start Repeat and End Repeat fields to instruct Tides & 

Currents to export data multiple times, "repeating" that data across 

the exported table. This is useful if you want to view that specific 

data on a per-date, per-time or per occurrence basis. 

For example, in Figure 7.1, the Target Fields lists all fields to be 

exported. This example shows that only one Date column was 

specified, but the Time and Value columns occur four times across 

the width of the page because they are preceded by [Start Repeat 

(4 times)] and followed by [End Repeat]. The Field Repeat Count 

was set to four, which instructs the Time and Value fields to repeat 

four times. 

Field Repeat 

Count 

Specify how many times that you want any repeated data to 

repeat (up to 48 times). 

Options Opens the Export Data Options window, from which you can 

specify your field and record delimiters, date format, and value 

precision (display to .000 or not). 


Advanced Settings 8 

Configuration Options 

Tides & Currents is built to adapt to your computer's existing configurations. You can 

change most configuration parameters to suit your preferences. 

Changing Configuration Parameters 

To change configuration parameters: 

1. Choose Configure from the ToolBar (or Options | Configure). 

The Configuration Options window opens. 

The field on the left lists the four Configuration Categories. 

• General 

• Graphing 

• Color 

• Startup 

2. Click any of the Configuration Categories buttons to change the appearance 

of the Configuration Options window (for example, see Figure 8.1 for General 

Configuration options). 

General Configuration Parameters 

General Configuration options include: Time, Height Units, Velocity Units, ToolBar 

configurations, Keyboard Shortcuts (Hot Keys), and some specialized changes, such 

as Daylight Savings configurations and Program Pilot. 

Figure 8.1 - Configuration Options General Category Window 


47

Chapter 8 - Advanced Settings 

General Configuration parameters are explained below. 

Time 

• 12-hour: The program displays 12-hour clock, such as 1:00 PM or 12:00 AM. 

• 24-hour: The program displays 24-hour clock, such as 13:00 or 0:00. 

ToolBars 

Opens the Customize ToolBars and Commands window. Use this window to select 

which ToolBars to display and how ToolBars should appear. The Commands tab of this 

window is where you can find more information about the functionality and purpose 

of each button on each ToolBar. 

Keyboard Shortcuts 

This button opens the Shortcut Keys window. Use this window to assign a Shortcut 

(or Hot Key) to any of the main menu functions, including opening specific tide or 

current windows that you use most frequently. This option provides you with greater 

ease of use and fewer keystrokes for any function you use frequently. 

For example, to close all open tide and current windows using a single keystroke: 

1. Click Keyboard Shortcuts. 

The Shortcut Keys window opens. 

2. Select the Window: Close All macro in the Select a macro field. 

3. Click Create Shortcut. 

The Assign Shortcut window opens. 

4. Select a shortcut that you will remember, such as , and make that keystroke. 

The Assign Shortcut window will display the current assignment of that 

keystroke. 

5. If you wish to proceed using the selected keystroke, click OK. 

6. Click OK again to close the Shortcut Keys window. 

Height Units 

Sets height values to feet, meters or centimeters. 

Velocity Units 

Sets current values to knots or meters per second. 

Specialized Changes 

• 

Prev and Next Day/Month Buttons change ALL windows. Placing a check-mark 

in this check box updates each open tide or current window whenever you click 

the Prev or Next Day or Month ToolBar buttons. 


• 

• 

• 

Enable Daylight Savings Time (NOAA, CHS Stations). When you place a checkmark 

in this check box, Tides & Currents automatically adjusts predictions 

to account for adjusted times in each requested prediction location. When 

unchecked, Standard Time only is used. 

Enable Pilot Program. When you check this box, the system displays pop-up 

prompts, labeled "Program Pilot", that assist you with certain procedures such as 

opening initial tide or current tables, or setting up Real Time display. 

Include date in title bar. When you check this box, the current date (based on 

your computer's system time) displays in the title bar of each tide or current 

window opened (format MM/DD/YYYY). 

Graphing Configuration Parameters 

When you select Graphing Category from the Configuration Options window, the 

primary window contents display as shown in Figure 8.2. 

Figure 8.2 - Configuration Options - Graphing Category Window 

Graphing settings impact how Tide and Current window graphs are drawn and 

displayed. Category parameters are explained below. 

Graph Options 

Show grid on graph. When a check-mark is placed in this check box, each Tide and 

Current window displayed includes grid lines for each height and time increment. 

When unchecked, no grid lines appear except the cross-hairs. 

Show grid on week view. When you check this box, a grid is displayed on all weekly 

view windows. 


49


Show high range line/Show low range line. When you check this box, each Tide 

and Current window displayed includes a line displaying the high or low range value 

selected from tide or current Ranges. 

Tide Ranges 

Click this button to open a Tide Graph Ranges window. Use this window to select if 

the High Range Value displayed is to be the diurnal range, the mean tide, or a user 

defined height (using the height units defined from the General Category settings). 

Use the Low Range Value settings to define the low value as MLLW or a user-defined 

height. 

Current Ranges 

Click this button to open a Current Graph Ranges window. Use this window to select 

whether the High Range Value displayed is to be Average Maximum Flood, or a 

user-defined velocity (using the velocity units defined from the General Category 

settings). 

The Low Range Value settings enable you to define the low value as Average 

Maximum Ebb or a user-defined velocity. 

Screen Font 

Click the Font button to open a Font window and select from a list of available fonts 

in your Windows system. Tides & Currents is most compatible with True-Type fonts, 

which can appear vertically or horizontally on the graphs. You can also select Font 

Styles and Size from this window. 


User-defined slack water. Enter a value of current speed in knots here. When you 

check this box, Tides & Currents defines slack water as equal to or less than the value 

you entered. The default value for this field is 0.1 knots. 

Default Summary Information On for new Windows. When you check this box, 

summary information appears for all windows, including moon data, a table of daily 

highs and lows, and a list of average tides. 

Default Weekly view On for new Windows. When you check this box, the system 

draws a weekly graph automatically whenever you open a new tide or current 

window. 

Default Table On for new Windows. When you check this box, new tide or current 

windows will display a tide or current table. If unchecked, no tide or current table 

opens until you click the Table button on the Other Tools ToolBar. 

Table interval. Controls the time interval for the tide or current table updates (range 

from one minute to one hour). 


Colors Configuration Parameters 

When you select the Colors Category from the Configuration Options window, the 

primary window contents appear as shown in Figure 8.3. 

Figure 8.3 - Configuration Options - Color Category Window 

Color settings impact how the system displays tide and current color schemes. 

Category parameters are explained below. 

Color Schemes 

Use this drop-down list to choose from any saved color scheme or revert to the 

default color scheme. Click the Save Scheme button to save any changes to the color 

scheme you have made and specify a name for your new scheme. Click Remove 

Scheme to remove the currently selected Color Scheme. 

Color Definitions 

Each of the Color Definitions options can be changed using a color palette tool. To 

change any existing color definition, click the button for that definition and select a 

new color from the color palette. 

Click OK to save your changes. 

Click Save Scheme to save your changes to a new Color Scheme, which you can then 

maintain and update as necessary. 


51


Startup Configuration Parameters 

When you select Startup Category from the Configuration Options window, the 

primary window contents appear as shown in Figure 8.4. 

Figure 8.4 - Configuration Options - Startup Category Window 

Startup settings affect how the program behaves upon startup. Category parameters 

are explained below. 

Main Window Size 

Open main window maximized. Select this radio button to open Tides & Currents 

fully maximized. 

Open main window minimized (icon). Select this radio button to open Tides & 

Currents minimized and running in the background. You will need to double-click the 

desktop icon again to open the program. 

Remember last size. Select this radio button to open Tides & Currents to the size and 

window position that it was in when you last quit Tides & Currents. 


Show Welcome Window: When you check this box, the initial Welcome window 

appears when you start Tides & Currents. 

Auto open last open locations. When you check this box, all tide and current 

windows you had open at the end of last use will open at startup. 



Notes 

Tides & Currents keeps an online note pad that contains additional information about 

geographic locations. Some of these notes come directly from the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), others are common statistics. 

In addition to built-in notes, the system provides an extra space for you to add your 

own notes about any given location. 

To open Notes, click Notes from the Other Tools ToolBar, or, with any tide or current 

window open, click View | Notes. 

Notes in Tides & Currents 

• 

• 

• 

Figure 8.5 - Notes Window 

Official Notes. These read-only notes come from NOAA and focus on special 

conditions about the area. For example, if currents in a particular region tend to 

be rotary currents, official notes will call this out. 

General Notes. These read-only notes provide geographic data about the region. 

For example, the general notes list the location's reference station, the time 

meridian for the region, and the depth at which currents were measured. 

User Notes. This is a text-based space where you can add your own notes about 

this location. For example, "Fishing is best 30 minutes after highest tide." 

Printing or Saving Notes 

You can save or print notes by copying and pasting them into another program such 

as Notepad, WordPad or Microsoft Word. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Open the page of notes that you want to print. 

Highlight the applicable text. 

Press to copy the text to the clipboard. 


53

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 


Open the Notepad application (Start | Programs | Accessories | Notepad) or 

other word processing program. After your program is open, press (or 

select Edit | Paste) to paste the text. 

To print, select File | Print or . 

Click OK to begin printing. 

To save, press or File | Save. 

The system prompts you to provide a name and location for this file. 

Type the location and file name that you want to use for this file. 

Click OK to save. 



Glossary G 

Active Window 

The active window is the only window affected by the button bar. You can make a 

window active by clicking anywhere in it. That window's title bar changes color to 

show that it is now active. 

CHS 

The Canadian Hydrographic Service 

Coastal Tidal Current 

The tidal current found 5 to 20 miles off the coast. 

Current 

A horizontal movement of water. Currents might be tidal and non-tidal. Tidal currents 

are caused by gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth and 

are part of the same general rise and fall of the sea called tide. Non tidal currents 

include the permanent currents in the general circulatory systems of the sea and the 

temporary currents that arise due to various weather conditions. 

Daylight Saving Time 

A time used during the summer in some locations, in which clocks are advanced one 

hour from the usual standard time to maximize daytime light. 

Diurnal 

Having a period or cycle of approximately 1 tidal day. The tide is diurnal when only 

one high water and one low water occur during a tidal day. 

The tidal current is diurnal when there is a single flood and single ebb period in the 

tidal day. 

A rotary current is diurnal if it changes its direction through all points of the compass 

once each tidal day 

Duration of Flood/Duration of Ebb 

The duration of flood is the interval of time in which a tidal current is flooding. The 

duration of ebb is the interval in which it is ebbing. Together they cover an average 

period of 24.84 hours for a diurnal tide or 12.42 hours for a semi-diurnal tide. 

Duration of Rise/Duration of Fall 

Duration of rise is the interval from low water to high water, and duration of fall is the 

interval from high water to low water. Together they cover, on the average, a period 

of 12.42 hours for a semi-diurnal tidal current. For a diurnal current, the average 

55

Glossary 

period is 24.84 hours. 

Ebb Current 

The movement of a tidal current away from shore or down a tidal river or estuary. 

In the mixed type of reversing tidal current, the terms greater ebb and lesser ebb are 

applied respectively to the ebb tidal currents of greater and lesser speed of each day. 

The terms maximum ebb and minimum ebb are applied to the maximum and 

minimum speeds of a current running continuously ebb, the speed alternately 

increasing and decreasing without coming to a slack or reversing. Maximum ebb can 

also apply to any ebb current at the time of the greatest speed. 

Event 

High or low tide, flood, ebb, or current value or their differences or durations. 

Flood Current 

The movement of a tidal current toward the shore or up a tidal river or estuary. 

In the mixed type of reversing current, the terms greater flood and lesser flood apply 

respectively to the flood currents of greater and lesser speed each day. 

The terms maximum flood and minimum flood apply to the maximum and minimum 

speeds of a flood current, the speed of which alternately increases and decreases 

without coming to a slack or reversing. Maximum flood can also apply to any flood 

current at the time of greatest speed. 

Harmonic Constant 

The amplitudes and epochs of the harmonic constituents of the tide or tidal current 

at any place. 

Harmonic Constituents 

Harmonic constituents are the elements in mathematical expressions that describe 

the forces that produce the tides and the resulting tides and tidal currents. Each 

constituent represents a periodic change or variation in the relative positions of the 

Earth, Moon, and Sun. 

Harmonic Station 

A prediction location for which harmonic constituents are available. 

Higher High Water (HHW) 

The highest of the high waters (or single high water) of any specified tidal day due to 

the declinational effects of the Moon and Sun. 


Hydraulic Current 

A current in a channel caused by a difference in the surface level at the two ends. A 

hydraulic current might be expected in a strait connecting two bodies of water in 

which the tides differ in time or range. 

Knot 

A speed unit of 1 international nautical mile (1,852 meters or 1.15 land miles or 

6,067.1 1549 international feet) per hour. 

Lowest Normal Tide (LNT) 

Chart datum used by the Canadian Hydrographic Service. (CHS) 

Mean High Water (MHW) 

A tidal datum. The average of all the high water heights observed over the National 

Tidal Datum Epoch. For stations with shorter series, simultaneous observational 

comparisons are made with a control tide station to derive the equivalent datum of 

the National Tidal Datum Epoch. 

Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) 

A tidal datum. The average of the higher high water height of each tidal day 

observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch. For stations with shorter series, 

simultaneous observational comparisons are made with a control tide station to 

derive the equivalent datum of the National Tidal Datum Epoch. 

Mean Low Water (MLW) 

A tidal datum. The average of all the low water heights observed over the National 

Tidal Datum Epoch. For stations with shorter series, simultaneous observational 

comparisons are made with a control tide station to derive the equivalent datum of 

the National Tidal Datum Epoch. 

Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) 

A tidal datum. The average of the lower low water height of each tidal day observed 

over the National Tidal Datum Epoch. For stations with shorter series, simultaneous 

observational comparisons are made with a control tide station to derive the 

equivalent datum of the National Tidal Datum Epoch. 

Mean Range of Tide (Mn) 

The difference in height between mean high water and mean low water. 

Meridian 

A great circle of the earth that passes through the geographical poles at a given 

point on the earth's surface. 


57

Glossary 

Mixed Current 

Type of tidal current characterized by a conspicuous diurnal inequality in the greater 

and lesser flood strengths or greater and lesser ebb strengths. See flood current and 

ebb current. 

Mixed Tide 

Type of tide characterized by a conspicuous diurnal inequality in the higher high and 

lower high waters and/or higher low and lower low waters. See type of tide. 

NOAA/NOS 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Ocean Service. 

Neap Tides or Tidal Currents 

Tides of decreased range or tidal currents of decreased speed occurring semimonthly 

as the result of the Moon being in quadrature. The neap range (Np) of the tide is the 

average semi-diurnal range occurring at the time of neap tides. 

Perigean Tides or Tidal Currents 

Tides of increased range or tidal currents of increased speed occurring monthly as 

the result of the Moon being in perigee or nearest the Earth. The perigean range (Pn) 

of tide is the average semi-diurnal range occurring at the time of perigean tides. 

Reference Station 

One of the locations for which NOAA and other agencies have determined harmonic 

constituents. The agencies use these reference stations as the basis for predicting 

tides and currents at all substations. 

Results Table 

A window in which data is displayed in a spreadsheet-like format. 

Reversing Current 

A tidal current that flows alternately in approximately opposite directions with a 

slack water at each reversal of direction. Reversing currents usually occur in rivers and 

straits where the direction of flow is somewhat restricted to certain channels. When 

the movement is towards the shore or up a stream, the current is said to be flooding, 

and when in the opposite direction, it is said to be ebbing. The combined flood and 

ebb movement (including the slack water) covers, on average, 12.42 hours for a semidiurnal 

current. If unaffected by a non tidal flow, the flood and ebb movements last 

approximately six hours, but when combined with such a flow, the durations of flood 

and ebb can vary. During the flow in each direction the speed of the current will 

vary from zero at the time of slack water to a maximum about midway between the 

slacks. 


Rip Current 

A narrow, intense current setting seaward through the surf zone. It removes the 

excess water brought into the zone by the small net mass transport of waves. It is 

fed by longshore currents. Rip currents usually occur at points, groins, and jetties of 

irregular beaches, and at regular intervals along straight, uninterrupted beaches. 

Rotary Current 

A tidal current that flows continually with the direction of flow changing through 

all points of the compass during the tidal period. Rotary currents are usually 

found offshore where the direction of flow is not restricted by any barriers. The 

tendency to rotate in direction originates in the Coriolis force and, unless modified 

by local conditions, the change is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and 

counterclockwise in the Southern. The speed of the current usually varies throughout 

the tidal cycle, passing through the two maxima in approximately opposite directions 

and the two minima with the direction of the current at approximately 90 degrees 

from the directions of the maxima. 

Semi-Diurnal 

Having a period or cycle of approximately one-half of a tidal day. The predominating 

type of tide throughout the world is semi-diurnal, with two high waters and two low 

waters each tidal day. The tidal current is said to be semi-diurnal when there are two 

flood and two ebb periods occur each day. 

Set of Current 

The direction toward which current flows. 

Slack Water 

The state of a tidal current when its speed is near zero, especially the moment when 

a reversing current changes direction and its speed is zero. The term is also applied to 

the entire period of low speed near the time of turning of the current when it is too 

weak to be of any practical significance in navigation. 

Standard Time 

A kind of time based on the transit of the Sun over a certain specified meridian, 

called the time meridian, and adopted for use over a considerable area. With few 

exceptions, standard time is based on some meridian which differs by a multiple of 

15 degrees from the meridian of Greenwich. 

Subordinate Station 

A station for which tide and current predictions are calculated based on observations 

from a control reference station. 


59

Glossary 

Tidal Current Tables 

Tables which give daily predictions of the times and speeds of the tidal currents. 

Tidal Day 

The tidal day is 24.84 hours long. 

Tide 

The periodic rise and fall of the water resulting from gravitational interactions 

between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. The vertical component of the motion of a tidal 

wave. Although the accompanying horizontal movement of the water is part of the 

same phenomenon, it is preferable to designate the motion as tidal current. 

Tide Tables 

Tables which give daily predictions of the times and heights of high and low waters. 

Time Meridian 

A meridian is a theoretical circle that passes through the geographical poles at a 

given point on the earth's surface. A time meridian is one of these circles used as a 

reference for time. 

Type of Tide 

A classification based on characteristic forms of a tide curve. When the two high 

waters and two low waters of each tidal day are approximately equal in height, the 

tide is said to be semi-diurnal. 

When a relatively large diurnal inequality occurs in the high or low waters or both, 

the tide is said to be mixed. 

When only one high water and one low water occurs in each tidal day, the tide is said 

to be diurnal. 


Jeppesen Marine 

15160 NW Laidlaw Road – Suite 100 

Portland, Oregon 97229 USA 

Customer Support Phone Numbers: 

USA: 800 732 2800 6 AM - 7 PM MT 

Europe: +49 6102 50 8171 8 AM - 5 PM CET 

All Other Locations: +1 303 328 6983 6 AM - 7 PM MT 

Sales Phone Numbers 

USA: 800 946 2877 8 AM - 5 PM PT 

All Other Locations: +1 503 579 1414 8 AM - 5 PM PT 

Fax: +1 503 579-1304 (North America) +49 6102 50 8189 (Europe) 

Email: sales@nobeltec.com (Sales) support@nobeltec.com (Support) 

Website: www.nobeltec.com 

Printed in USA 

© Copyright 2006, Jeppesen Marine, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks are property 

of their respective owners. 

Nobeltec Tides & Currents User's Guide

RSTGX00001 12/06

Tides and Currents 3.5.indd - Jeppesen

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