Chapter 8

Transferring Circular position lines

Introduction
We have seen earlier that a ships position can be calculated by the
running fix method if a bearing of an object is taken and after sometime
another bearing of the same or another object is taken we can obtain a
fix. Provided the course steered and distance steamed is known
between the two times presuming there is no current or leeway. If the
set and drift of the current is known we can allow for it and then transfer
the position line in order to arrive at a more accurate position.

Transfer of circular position lines (obtained from terrestrial objects)

Similar method can be used for circular position lines. Circular position
lines can be obtained from various methods as mentioned below.

 Observing horizontal sextant angle between two shore objects.

 Distance off from observing vertical sextant angle of a shore object.

 Distance off by a radar range

 Distance off by observing and rising / dipping distances.

 Distance off by observing the nominal ranges of lights.

 Distance off using, doubling the angle on the bow and special angles.

In order to transfer circular position lines one must transfer the entire
circle from its center point. The below mentioned example fully
illustrates the above.
Example 1:
Whilst on a true course of 085° T speed 15 knots, an observation of the
vertical sextant angle of a Lt Ho 1 indicated that the light house was 5.2
miles on her starboard bow. After 30 minutes a similar observation of Lt
Ho 2 gave a distance of 6.5 miles on the starboard bow. Assuming there
was no current or leeway, Find the ships position at the first and second
observation.

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 Fig: transferring a circular position line without current

1. With Lt Ho 1 as center draw circle of radius 5 .2 miles.

2. With Lt Ho 2 as center draw a circle of 6.5 miles radius.

3. Draw line AB (085 T x 7.5’), which is the course steered and the
distance steamed in 30 minutes.
4. AB is also the course made good since there is no current or wind.
5. With B as center draw a circle of radius 5.2’ (radius of the 1st position
circle, which is transferred to point B).
6. Point D is where it will cut the second position circle of radius 6.5’.
7. D is the position of the vessel at the time second observation. Draw a
line DE parallel to AB passing through D. Where this line cuts the first
circle is the initial position of the vessel.
8. Line ED is the course steered, distance steered and also the course
made good and distance made good in 30 minutes since there is no
current and wind.

Example 2:
Using the same example as above find the position of the vessel at the
time of second observation and first observation if the current was
setting 025 T x 4 knots.

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 Fig: transferring a circular position line with current

1. With Lt Ho 1 as center draw circle of radius 5 .2 miles.

2. With Lt Ho 2 as center draw a circle of 6.5 miles radius.

3. Draw line AB (085 T x 7.5’), which is the course, steered and the
distance steamed in 30 minutes.
4. From B draw BC (025 x 4’), which is the set and drift encountered in 30
minutes.
5. Join AC which is the course and distance made good in 30 minutes.
6. With C as center draw a circle of radius 5.2’ (radius of the 1st position
circle, which is transferred to point C).
7. Point D is where it will cut the second position circle of radius 6.5’.
8. D is the position of the vessel at the time second observation. Draw a
line DE parallel to AC passing through D. Where this line cuts the first
circle is the initial position of the vessel. 09 Line ED is the course made
good and distance made good.

Example 3:
At 0200 hrs Lt Ho 1 was 7’ on the radar. At 0245 another Lt Ho 2 was 8
miles on the radar. During this period the vessel steered 225 C at 12
knots. She experienced a current of 150 C at the rate of 4 knots. Find
the vessels position at 0200 hrs and 0245 hrs.

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The working is exactly similar to the above.
D is the position at 0245 and E at 0200 hrs,

Example 4:
At 0300 hrs Lt Ho 1 (Ht 82m) was raised and at 0400 the same light
dipped. During this vessel the vessel steamed on a course of 060 T for
12 miles. Current was setting at 340 T at a rate of 3 knots. Find the
ships position at 0300 and 0400 hrs.

Rising distance = Dipping distance = 26 miles as calculated from

tables/formula
Here it is presumed that the luminous range of the light is greater than
26 miles and therefore is visible moment it appears on the horizon.
In actual practice navigators must refer to the light characteristics also
to ensure that they take the lesser of the two ranges (Geographical or
Luminous) when deciding whether the light will be visible or not

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 Fig: transferring a circular position line with current

1. With Lt Ho1 as center draw a circle with radius 26 miles (dipping

distance)

2. From A plot AB = 060 T x 12’ (course and distance steamed in 1 hour)

3. From B plot BC = 340 T x 3’ (set and drift for 1 hour)

4. Join AC, which is the course and distance made good in 1 hour.
5. With C as center draw a circle with radius 26 miles (raising distance).
6. Where this circle cuts the first circle at point D is the final position of the
vessel at the dipping distance.
7. Draw DE parallel to CA.
8. Point E is the initial position of the vessel when the light is raised.
9. ED is the course and distance made good in 1 hour.

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