Lesson 3

Levels of Tides at Standard

and Secondary Ports
Objectives: At the end of the topic the student should be able to;

1. Use the Admiralty tide tables of Standard and the Secondary ports to find the
height and times of High an Low Waters.

2. Calculate the Tidal Height and depth of tide at any given time at the standard
Port and Secondary port.

3. Calculate the times at the given height of tides and date at the standard and
secondary ports.

4. Calculate the Keel Clearance and Vertical Clearance when passing under the
Chart Object in the Standard and Secondary ports

5. Calculate the Mean Sea Level (MSL) and the Charted Height of the object at any
given point of time.
 Introduction

To find the height and depth of water we need to use the tide tables
or Tidal Information on Admiralty Charts. These are published by the
Hydrographer to the navy in a series of 11 booklets to cover the coastal
waters of the British Isles and in the world.

Each booklet contains charlets of the covered area for hourly intervals
from 6 hours before and after H.W. The times of high water may be obtain
from Admiralty Tide Tables Volume 1
 What is Tide Tables?
It is the world's most yearly comprehensive tidal
prediction program, providing bridge crews with fast,
accurate tidal height and tidal stream predictions for more
than 7,000 ports and 3,000 tidal streams worldwide.

Key features of ATT include:​​

​Accurate instant tidal predictions, reducing the risk of

human error and providing bridge crews with an easy
means of viewing both under-keel and safe overhead
clearances

Approved for use by the Flag States of over three

quarters of ships trading internationally, with certification
to aid inspections
Predictions of Tidal Times and Heights
Soundings on Tide Tables are expressed below the chart
datum. This is an arbitrary reference level chosen such that
there will rarely be less water than is indicated on the
chart. The Level of the chart datum may differ between
charts, but are at present being standardized to
approximate to lowest astronomical tide, which is the
lowest level which can be predicted to occur under any
combination of astronomical conditions under normal
meteorological condition.
This relationship between chart datums at various
places and the L.A.T are shown in Table V in the front of
Tide Tables Vol. I.
For comparison of chart datums between charts of
different areas Table III in the tide tables is consulted. This
gives the height of Chart Datums of various places relative
to the ordinance datum which is the datum for land leveling
system.
 To Find times and Heights of High and Low water at a standard Port

These may be extracted directly from Part I of ATT

Vol. 1 for the required standard Port, and for the
required date (see extracts from ATT Vol. I ). Note
that the times are given in zone time for that area in
which the port lies. The difference between the Zone
time used and GMT is given at the top of each page.
The sign attached to this difference is appropriate to
correct the tabulated zone time to GMT. Thus if the
time Zone is give as – 0100, then the times tabulated
are 1 hour ahead of GMT. The time zone used tor the
British Isles is GMT but care must be taken when
British Summer Time (BST) is being kept. Similarly
care must be taken that the time kept in any other
country is in fact the time zone used in the tables
 ATT. Vol. 1 Jan. 1990
Example # 1 Used ATT Vol. 1

Find the times of High and Low

Water at Avonmouth on the
morning of 29th Jan. 1990 and the
depth of water at these times at a
place of Avonmouth where the
charted sounding is 4.2 meters

Solutions

From ATT Vol. 1 Date: Jan. 29 1990

Depth of Water = Charted Sounding + Height of Tide
morning tides
H.W. 0850 - 13.5 M Depth of HW = 13.5 M + 4.2 M = 17.7 M
L.W. 0329 - 1.4 M Depth of LW = 1.4 M + 4.2 M = 5.6 M
 To Find the Height of tide at time between High and Low Water at Standard Port.

This is done with aid of the tidal curves given with each standard port. There is one
curve for neap tides and one for spring tides. For times between springs and neaps
interpolation between the curves must be done (See examples)

Example
Find the height of tide at Avonmouth at 1530H GMT on the 9th April 1990, and
hence the depth of water at a place where the charted soundings is 2.0 Meters

Procedure
1. Extract from ATT Vol. ! Part 1 the times and heights of the high and low waters that
straddle the time for which the prediction is required. This time should be expressed
in the same zone time as the tidal predictions for the Standard Port.
2. Subtract the height of LW from the height of HW to obtain predicted range.

3. Take the time difference between the required for predictions and the time of high
water.. This is the interval from high water. Note whether the interval is positive
(falling tide) or negative (rising tide).

4. Compare the predicted range with the mean spring and neap range given on the
tidal curve. This will determine whether the spring curve or neap curve should be
used or whether interpolation between the two is necessary.

5. Enter tidal curve or curves with the interval from high water along the horizontal
axis and go vertically to meet the tidal curve. From this point go across to obtain
the factor.
6. Multiply the factor by the predicted range found in (2). If the predicted
range is between the spring and neap ranges the factor if found by
interpolating between the spring range and neap factors. If the
predicted range is above the spring range then the spring factor should
be used. If the predicted range is below the neap range then the neap
factor should be used. The factor multiplied by predicted ranges gives
the height above low water.

7. Add on the height above Low water to obtain the height of tide above
the chart datum.

8. Add on the height of tide from the Charted depth to obtain the Depth
of Water at the required time.
 Diagram

1907 = 12.9 M
12.3 M

11.7 M
5.8 M
3.86 M
Depth of Water = 7.06 M

6.5 M
1334 = 1.2 M
Solution
X = 0.6 M X = (0.1)(0.6)
1. From ATT HW - 1907 = 12.9 M 0.1 5.8 M 5.8
LW - 1334 = 1.2 M
2. Predicted Range = 11.7 M X = 0.01

Time of High Water = 19h 07m 6. Ht. above LW = Factor x PR

Time Required = 15h 30m = 0.33 x 11.7
3. Time Interval from HW = - 03h 37m rising tides = 3.86 M
+ Ht of LW = 1.2 M
4. From Tidal curve 7. Ht of Water = 5.06 M
Spring range = 12.3 M = 0.32 + Charted Depth = 2.00 M
5.8 M 0.01
0.6M x
Predicted range = 11.7 M 0.33 0.1 8. Depth Water = 7.06 M
Neap range = 6.5 M = 0.42
5. Factor = 0.32 + 0.01 = 0.33
To Find the time at which there will be a given depth of water between high and low as
standard port, on a given tide.
With this problem it is necessary to determine the height of tide which corresponds to
the given depth of water. This will require consideration of the charted sounding. The
problem is often given in the form of a required clearance under a vessels keel. In this
case the ship’s draft must be given. The draft and the clearance will be the required
depth of water.

Procedure
1. Extract the of high and low waters for the tide specified ad the heights.

2. Subtract the height of low water from height of high water to obtain the predicted
range.

3. Ascertain the height of tide above the chart datum to produce the given depth of
water (subtract the charted soundings)
4. Subtract the height of LW to give the height above LW.

5. Find the factor from: Factor = Height above L.W.

Predicted Range
6. Compare the predicted range with the spring and neap ranges to determine which
curve to use or whether interpolation between both curves is necessary.

7. Enter appropriate curve or curves with the factor and extract the interval from HW
by the reverse process to that described in the previous example.

8. If necessary interpolate between the intervals from HW from spring and neap
curves, as indicated by the comparison between the predicted range and the spring
and neap ranges.

9. Apply time interval from HW to the time of HW found in 1.

Example 2 Diagram

Find the time when a vessel

of draft 6.5 meters will have a
clearance of 1.0 meter over a
shoal of charted depth 1.0
meter off Avonmouth on the HW
rising tide of the morning of Ht. of HW Predicted range
23rd Feb. 1990.
Water line
HT above LW
Draft
LW
Ht. of LW Chart Datum
Depth of Water Keel Clearance 1.0 M Charted depth = 1.0 M
Seabed
Solution
5. Factor = Ht above LW = 3.6 M = 0.43
Predicted Range = 8.4 M
1. From ATT 23rd Feb. 1990
6. Compare PR, SR,& NR 7. Enter Tidal Curves
HW = 0544 = 11.3 M Feb 23
LW = 2349 = 2.9 M Feb 22 Spring Range = 12.3 M - 03h 10m
x
3.9 M
2. Predicted range = 8.4 M Predicted Range = 8.4 M - 03h 27m 25m
5.8 M
Neap Range = 6.5 M - 03h 35m
Draft = 6.5 M _X_ = 3.9 M X = 25m X 3.9 M
Keel Clearance = 1.0 M 25 m 5.8 M 5.8 M
Required Depth = 7.5 M = 17 m
Charted Depth = 1.0 M
3. Height Tide = 6.5 M 8. Time interval from HW = - 03h 27m
Height of LW = 2.9 M
4. Ht. above LW = 3.6 M 9. Time of High Water = 05h 44m
Time Interval from HW = -03h 27m
Time Required to pass = 02h 17m Feb. 23, 1990
Secondary Ports

Part II of ATT Vol 1 gives tidal information for a large number of secondary ports. This
information is given as time and height differences between the secondary port and
some convenient standard port

High and Low Water time differences

The time differences between high or low water at the secondary port and high or low
water at the standard port varies between spring and neaps. There are two values given
which should be taken as the maximum and minimum differences. These are tabulated
against the time of high or low water at the standard port which depend mainly on the
neap-spring cycle. If the time of high or water at the standard port falls between the times
tabulated then the time differences must be interpolated.
Example # 3

Find the time of High water at Ilfracombe if the time of high water at Milford Haven is
03h 30m.
Solution: Go to Prediction Time & Ht of Tides at the Secondary Ports

Time difference for 01h 00m 2.5 hrs

- 00h 30m
x
Time required 03h 30m 6 hrs. - 00h 24m 15 m
Time difference for 07h 00m - 00h 15m
Time HW Milford = 03h 30 m
__X__ = _2.5 hrs._
X = 15m x 2.5 hrs. X = 6.25m or 6m Time Difference = -00h 24 m
15m 6 hrs. 6 hrs. Time of HW Ilfracombe = 03h 06m
Height Differences
Differences in tidal height between secondary ports and Standard port are tabulated for
MHWS, MHWN, MLWS and MLWN. The differences between the mean spring and mean
neap levels should be assumed to vary linearly and can be found by interpolation. For levels
outside the mean range the height differences are by extrapolation. The level of the
required tide at the standard port should be compared with the mean spring and neap
levels given for the standard port in Part II for interpolation purposes.

Example # 4
The Height of HW at Milford Haven is 6.0 Meters. Find the height of HW at Ilfracombe.
Differences for MHWS levels @ Milford Difference Ht. @ Ilfracombe
Ht. of MHWS in Milford = 7.0 M + 2.2 M
1 x
Required Ht. of HW in Milford = 6.0 M 1.8 + 1.9 M 0.5
Ht. MHWN in Milford = 5.2 M + 1.7 M

__X__ = _1 M_ 0.5M x 1.0 M = 0.27 or 0.3 M

X=
0.5 M 1.8 M 1.8 M

Ht required of HW in Milford = 6.0 M

Ht. Difference in Ilfracombe = + 1.9 M
Ht. of HW in Ilfracombe = 7.9 M
 Example # 5

Find the times and height of high and low waters in Watchet (ATT 531) on Feb. 12, 1990

Standard Port (Time) LW HW LW HW

(Avonmouth) 03h 24m 08h 49m 15h 42m 21h 10m
Time Difference - 01h 30m - 00h 48m - 01h 36m - 00h 47m
14h 06m 20h 23m
Secondary Port (Watchet) 01h 54m 08h 01m

Standard Port (Avomouth) (Height) 1.1 M 13.3 M 1.2 M 13.1 M

Height Difference + 0.1 M - 1.9 M + 0.1 M - 1.89 M
1.2 M 11.4 M 1.3 M 11.21 M
Watchet Height
Note:
Care should be taken in problems like this that a high or low water at the standard port on the proceeding
or the following day does not produce a high or low water at the secondary port on the day in question,
after the differences are applied.
To find the height of tide at a secondary port at a time between high and low waters
Unless indicated otherwise in the tide tables the tidal movements at a secondary ports
are similar enough to those at the standard port for the tidal curve given for the
standard port to be used for the secondary port also. After finding the times and heights
of the high and low waters at the secondary port the problem is similar to that for a
standard port. The spring and neap ranges for the secondary port must be found to
compare with the predicted range to determine which curve to use.
Procedure
1. Extract the times of the high and low water on either side of the required time for the
standard port, and the heights.
2. Apply the time differences to obtain the times of high and low water at the secondary
port. Apply the height differences, interpolating between spring and neap ranges, by
comparing the heights at the standard port with the mean spring and neap heights
given in Part II for the standard port, as explained previously. This gives the heights at
the secondary ports
3. Subtract the height of low water at the secondary from the height of high water to
obtain predicted range.
4. Take the difference between the required time and the time of high water to find the
interval from HW.
5. Apply the secondary port spring and neap height differences to the heights of
MHWS, MHWN, MLWN, and MLWS for the standard port to obtain these values for
the secondary port.
6. Subtract the height of MLWN, from that of MHWN to obtain neap range, and
subtract the height of MLWS fro the height of MHWS to obtain spring range.
Compare these with the predicted range to determine whether to use spring curve
or the neap curve or whether interpolation is necessary between the two.
7. Enter the tidal curve given for the standard port with the interval from high water
and extract the factor. Interpolate if necessary between the spring and neap factor.
8. Multiply the factor by the predicted range to obtain the height of LW.
9. Add on the height of low water to the height above LW to obtain the height above
the chart datum.
Example # 6
Find the height of tide at Clevedon (ATT 528) at 1000 GMT on 16th March 1990. What will be
the underkeel Clearance of vessels draft 8.1 meters, when passing over the shoal of charted
depth 3.4 meters?
To find the time between high and low water at a secondary port when there will be a
given depth of water on a given tide

Procedure
1. Extract the times and heights of the high and low water of the given tide for the
standard port.
2. Apply the time and height differences to obtain the times and heights of the high
and low water at the secondary port. Find the predicted range.
3. Apply the secondary port spring and neap height differences to the heights of
MHWS, MHWN, MLWN, and MLWS for the standard port to obtain these values for
the secondary port.
4. Subtract the height of MLWN, form the height of MHWN to obtain mean neap
range, and subtract the height of MLWS from that of MHWS to obtain mean spring
range for the secondary port to determine which tidal curve to use or whether to
interpolate between the two.
 5. Ascertain the required height of tide above the chart datum.
6. Subtract the height of LW to obtain the height above LW
__Ht. above LW__
7. Find the factor. Factor = Predicted Range

8. Enter the tidal curves for the standard port and extract the interval from HW.
Interpolate if necessary between the spring interval and neap interval.
9. Apply interval from HW to the time of high water at the secondary port to obtain
the required time.

Example # 7

A vessel is berthed at Watchet alongside a quay with a drying height of 1.5 meters. Find
the time when the vessel will take the ground on the falling PM tide on 28th Jan. 1990nif
the vessel’s draft is 3.8 meters
Thank you for Listening