The gulf stream off the east coast of the united states can flow at a rapid 3.9 m/s to the north. a ship in this current has a cruising speed of 11 m/s . the captain would like to reach land at a point due west from the current position.

degrees west of south

Explanation:

The ship should go to the south at an equal rate as the water flows north so the velocities balance and the ship just move west.

As far as the water is concerned, the ship goes 3.9 m / s to the south, but much remains to the west. To find out that the triangle is drawing. 3.9 m/s point down side  and the hypotenuse is 11cos(angle) = \frac{adjacent}{hypotaneous}.

degrees west of south