CURRENTS

In Bab el Mandeb the flow is north-westerly from October to May at rates of up to 0·75 knots; exceptionally, rates of up to 3 knots may be encountered. From June to August the flow is south-easterly through Bab el Mandeb at rates of up to 1 knot. Currents during September are weak and variable. In the southern part of the Red Sea the same seasonal reversal occurs though rates do not exceed 1 knot. Currents may, on occasion, set in directions different from the normal pattern and onshore sets may be encountered. For further details, see Admiralty Sailing Directions.