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Navigation & chartwork

What is the difference between 'course' and 'track'?

Short answer

Course is a specified intended or steered direction; track is the actual path made over the ground

Course needs a qualifier—desired, to steer or steered—while track is the path actually made over the ground. Tide, current, leeway and steering can create a difference, so a passage update should label both quantity and reference. Revise this in Directions and Movement.

Sources and scope

Reviewed by Richard Moore on . This answer is scoped to united kingdom and general recreational seamanship; check the current chart, publication, local rules and official operational guidance before acting afloat.

Quick check

What is the difference between 'course' and 'track'?