Module 6 of 17
True bearings, courses, latitude, longitude, and the knot.
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Position on the Earth's surface is defined using latitude and longitude. Latitude measures north or south of the Equator (0° to 90°N or S). Longitude measures east or west of the Prime Me...
A true bearing is measured clockwise from True North (0°/360°) through East (090°), South (180°), and West (270°). All chart work is done in true bearings initially — compass corrections...
Speed at sea is measured in knots — one knot equals one nautical mile per hour. Distance is measured in nautical miles (M or nm). One nautical mile = 1,852 metres = 1 minute of latitude.
To measure a bearing on the chart, use a parallel ruler (or Breton plotter). Align the ruler along the line whose bearing you want to measure, then 'walk' it across to the nearest compass...
Distance on a nautical chart is measured with dividers and the latitude scale at the side of the chart. One minute of latitude equals one nautical mile, so the latitude scale is the only...
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