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Estimate positions along a route and final ETA using data from tidal current harmonics.
OpenCPN 5.2.4 and above. For the initial download an Internet connection is needed. The plugin tarball can be downloaded and imported to OpenCPN.
Set and rate of the tidal current from tidal current harmonics is used to calculate EP positions along a route and a final ETA. Courses to steer and speeds made good are available. Starting at different times the ETA for these departure times can be compared. This takes into account the different tidal currents likely to be experienced.
The plugin is available in the Beta catalog of the plugin manager. After installation the otidalplan plugin is added to the list and can be enabled.
In the list of available plugins:
Ready to use:
And in the toolbar:
Showing the plugin dialog:
- Attach the tidal current stations for the planned route. This is based on DR positions and the maximum distance from the station.
-
Enter the name for the route containing the EP. Tick the box to show the calculated route.
-
Calculate the ETA. This creates a new route containing the EP positions.
Available from the menu:
A GPX file of the EP route can be created at the same time as the new route is calculated. Tick the box to allow this.
The GPX can be imported into OpenCPN using the Route and Mark Manager
The harmonics installed with OpenCPN may not cover the area you are navigating. Another set of harmonics can be used by selecting the folder containing HARMONIC.idx.
The tidal current stations associated with a route are used based on DR and maximum distance from that DR. By adjusting these two parameters greater accuracy may be achieved.
The Summary table from the menu shows the effect of using different departure times:
Route with EP positions can be charted from the list of routes:
