What unit is NOT typically used in measuring surge rate?

The unit that is not typically used in measuring surge rate is the nautical mile. Surge rate refers to the speed at which a vessel is moving in relation to the surrounding water, particularly in regards to how quickly it can change position due to wave action or tide.

Meters per second, knots, and yards are all units that relate directly to speed or distance and are commonly employed in maritime contexts. Knots is the standard unit of speed for vessels, representing nautical miles per hour, while meters per second offers another metric unit of speed commonly used in various scientific and engineering fields. Yards can also be used to express the distance over which surge is measured, especially in contexts involving smaller vessels or waters close to shore.

In contrast, a nautical mile is primarily a measure of distance rather than speed. It is specifically defined as one minute of latitude and is used for navigation and charting rather than for measuring how quickly a vessel moves or responds to surge conditions. The distinction between units of measure for speed and distance emphasizes the inappropriateness of the nautical mile for surge rate measurements.