Tide is the vertical motion of the water caused mainly by the gravitational effects of the sun and the moon. When there is no vertical motion this is referred to as stand. Current, or more correctly, tidal stream is the horizontal flow of the water. The current coming in from the sea is called a flood current while the current flowing out to sea is the ebb current. When there is no horizontal movement this is referred to as slack, slack water or the turn.
“Commonly used expressions like “flood tide” and “ebb tide” should be avoided, as they confuse the horizontal motions of tidal currents with the vertical displacements of the tide” Oceanography of the British Columbia Coast – Richard E Thomson Published by Department of Fisheries and Oceans
For further information see the Home Study Coastal Navigation Course.
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