Levels

Lab

The physics

Ride on ship B. In B's frame, B stands still. You move with the relative velocity:

vA, B = vA − vB

That relative path is a straight line. To meet B, it must point straight at B. The closest gap is the perpendicular from B to that line.

t* = −(r₀ · vrel) / |vrel|²    dmin = |r₀ + vrel t*|

Two boats in the same current drift together. So you aim straight at a drifting boat.