In turning a vessel, which term describes the distance the vessel moves perpendicular to the original course during the turn?

• A. Drift
• B. Transfer
• C. Yaw
• D. Rotation

Answer: (B)

Turning a vessel while following a curved path means you move away from the original straight line you were on. The distance you end up off that line, measured perpendicular to the original course, is called the transfer. This describes how far laterally your track shifts because of the turn. It’s not drift (which comes from current or wind), not yaw (the angular change in heading), and not rotation (a change in orientation). So the term that fits the description is the transfer.