BEARINGS
There are three types of bearings most commonly used in navigation:
1. true bearings.
2. magnetic bearings.
3. compass bearings.
A true bearing is measured using the direction toward the geographic north pole as a reference point.
A magnetic bearing is measured in relation to magnetic north, using the direction toward the magnetic
north pole (in northeastern Canada) as a reference point.
A compass bearing uses magnetic north as a reference point, adjusted to compensate for the magnetic
variation or declination between magnetic and geographic north.
The arrow of a magnetic compass always points north. This feature of a compass needle was noticed in
the 12th century, after which people began to use a compass for orientation, especially at sea. This
device is quite simple.
There are two factors that influence your course (compass course) from the course you drew on a map
(true course):
Earth’s magnetic poles have been drifting around the north- and south-polar regions for millions of years
independent of each other. Data collected from the 1500s until the present show that, during this
relatively brief period in the history of the Earth, the magnetic north pole has made a trip from the
Arctic Ocean into northern Canada north of Hudson Bay and back to the Arctic Ocean at an average
speed of about 10 to 15 miles per year.
Compass readings deviations – magnetic deviation
Discrepancy of magnetic and true poles – magnetic variation
Magnetic declination, or magnetic variation is the angle on the horizontal plane between magnetic
north and true north. This angle varies depending on position on the Earth's surface and changes over
time.
Magnetic deviation is the angle from a given magnetic bearing to the related bearing mark of the
compass. Deviation is positive if a compass bearing mark (e.g., compass north) is right of the related
magnetic bearing (e.g., magnetic north) and vice versa. Deviation varies for every compass in the same
location and depends on such factors as the magnetic field of the vessel, wristwatches, etc. The value
also varies depending on the heading of the ship.
Compass Error - the algebraic sum of Variation and Deviation. It is the difference between True North
and Compass North.
Compass is Best, Error is West. Compass is least, Error is East Or True Less West
If Variation and Deviation are the same direction (say, both West), by adding together the angles of
Variation & Deviation, you will determine the Compass Error (also labeled West.) If the Variation and
Deviation are in different direction, assume the small number is a negative and add the 2 together, the
direction will be that of the larger angle.
Example:
Deviation = 1.5 E
Variation = 5.0 W
(-1.5) + 5.0 = 3.5
Compass Error = 3.5W
Apply error in the following order C Dev M Var T
Going from Compass toward True - add East & subtract West errors ( C A D E T )
Whenever from True to Compass, you add West Errors and subtract East Errors.
Gyro Error - A gyrocompass is a machine that is full of gears, which help it run properly. Machines are
not perfect, because they are man-made. The gears are not 100% free of friction so the gyro cannot
align itself perfectly with True North. The difference between what the Gyrocompass reads as North &
Geographic North is known as Gyro Error. The wear & tear of the equipment, dirt in the equipment and
improper start-up of the equipment can also cause gyro Error.
GYRO COMPASS
Shallow water means it is an area of the water surface, as demarcated, where submerged obstacles,
which may not be visible from the surface and might pose a danger, and/or cause severe damage to a
hull or propulsion system of a vessel and/or person.
The Azov Sea is the world’s shallowest sea, with a maximum depth of only about 46 feet (14 m).
Deep water is characterized by water of considerable depth especially able to accommodate oceangoing
vessels and deep water ports. Deep water ports are also defined to be any port which has the capability
to accommodate a fully laden Panamax ship.
Waves are caused normally by a strong wind. Wind-caused waves, also known as surface waves, are
created by the friction between wind and the surface of the water. As the strong wind blows across the
surface of the body of water, the disturbance creates a wave crest. Wind waves are dependent on three
major factors. They are wind speed, wind time, and wind distance. Earthquake is also one of the causes
of waves. These are called seismic waves.
Swells are waves that have enough energy to travel well beyond the place of their origin. It marches in
broader lines and with bigger gaps between each crest. It is a collection of waves that at times are
produced by storm winds from hundreds of miles and other factors that occur on the earth’s surface.
Geographic and Geocentric Latitude
Geographic latitude is defined as the angle between the equatorial plane and the surface normal at a
point on the ellipsoid, whereas geocentric latitude is defined as the angle between the equatorial plane
and a radial line connecting the Centre of the ellipsoid to a point on the surface.
The geographic latitude differs from the Geocentric latitude as the Earth is not A true sphere. The
difference between them is nil at the Equator and at the poles. They differ by a maximum of about 11.6’
at 45 deg. N and 45 deg S.
The geocentric latitude is approximately equal to :- geographic latitude – (11.6 x sin 2 geographic
latitude)
Diagram for effect of polar compression on Nautical mile
