PAPUA NEW GUINEA MARITIME COLLEGE

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MAGNETIC AND GYRO COMPASS

OBJECTIVE

This course covers the magnetic compass, gyro compass, The course provides the candidate the
understanding of the theory of operation and how to use the compasses for safe and efficient
navigation. In the aspect of getting the candidate well familiar with different methods of calculating
the errors which can be obtained from the compasses and comparing between the readings of them,
and also will be familiar with the theory of operation of the gyro compass and magnetic compass and
how it works.

The course is based on IMO model course 7.03, and all relevant IMO resolutions and guidelines
available at the time the course was prepared, to meet the mandatory requirements for knowledge,
understanding and proficiency in Table A-II/1 of STCW as amended. (Manila, 2010), for training of
Deck Officers.

On Completion of this Course the Student should be able to:

Possess a thorough understanding of the use and errors of both the magnetic and gyro
compass. The student is expected to have a comprehensive knowledge of the theory and
practical application so as to enable him or her to respond positively in the safe navigation of the
ship. In order to achieve the purpose of the training objective the student must be able to:

SCOPE

This module is one of eighteen modules comprising the STCW95 Officer of the Watch Section
A-II/1, mandatory minimum requirements for the certification of officers in charge of a
navigational watch on ships on ships of 500 gross tons or more. Success in this course will
depend on the successful completion of all modules.

The module covers the theory and practice of compass work required by a ship’s officer,
necessary for the effective and safe navigation of a ship in restricted waters and in the open sea.

DURATION

The minimum time for this module is 48 hours.= 8 weeks

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TRAINING FACILITIES

Classroom activities are complimented with video presentations, and practical demonstrations,
both in the classroom and on board the college training vessel. Where possible, students may join
the local Compass Adjuster for practical training in adjusting compasses.

ASSESSMENT

Continuous class assessment throughout the course plus a final, Department of Transport
Approved, Oral Examination.

LEARNING OUTCOMES.

On Completion of this Course the Student should be able to:

Possess a thorough understanding of the use and errors of both the magnetic and gyro
compass. The student is expected to have a comprehensive knowledge of the theory and
practical application so as to enable him or her to respond positively in the safe navigation of the
ship. In order to achieve the purpose of the training objective the student must be able to:

(1) Understand the Earth’s magnetism and its effect on the ships magnetic compass.

(2). Explain effects and uses of Magnetic Compass onboard ships.

(3) Describe the construction of a liquid magnetic Compass

(4) Be able to calculate a compass error and apply the error to obtained a course to steer.

(5) Understand the principle parts of a magnetic compass and explain their functions.

(6) Be able to explain the Gyro Scope Principles and understand the fundamental principles of a
Gyro Compass.

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General Introduction.

For much of the maritime history the only heading reference for navigation has been the
magnetic compass. A great deal of effort and expense has gone into understanding the
magnetic compass scientifically and making it as accurate as possible through
elaborate compensation techniques.

The introduction of the electro-mechanical gyrocompass relegated the magnetic

compass to backup status for many large vessels. Later came the development of
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inertial navigation system based on the gyroscopic principles. The interruption of
electrical power to the gyro compass or inertial navigator, mechanical failure, or its
physical destruction would instantly elevate the magnetic compass to primary status for
most vessels.

New technologies are both refining and replacing the magnetic compass as heading reference
and navigational tool. Although the magnetic compass for backup is certainly advisable, today’s
navigator can safely avoid nearly all of the effort and expense associated with the binnacle
mounted magnetic compass, the compensation, adjustment and maintenance.

Whatever type of compass is used, it is advisable to check it periodically against as error free
reference to determine error. This may be done when steering along any range during harbor and
approach navigation, or by aligning any two charted objects and finding the difference between
their observed and charted bearings. When navigating offshore, the use of azimuth and
amplitudes of celestial bodies will also

PAPUA NEW GUINEA MARITIME COLLEGE

TOPIC 1: EARTH’S MAGNETISM

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Learning Outcomes

At the end of this topic the learners should be able to:

 Explain the theory of magnetism

 Describe the laws of magnetism
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  Calculate the magnetic field strength
 Describe magnetic induction and differentiates between hard iron & soft iron
 Describes the magnetic field of the earth is spilt into two components
 Understands the causes of variation and deviation
 Explain that a compass needle which is constrained to the horizontal can only respond
to the horizontal component.
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Topic Introduction.

The principle of the present day magnetic compass is no different from that of the compasses
used by ancient mariners. The magnetic compass consists of a magnetized needle, or an array
of needles, allowed to rotate in the horizontal plane. The superiority of present day magnetic
compasses over ancient ones results from a better knowledge of the laws of magnetism which
govern the behavior of the compass and from greater precision in design and construction. Any
magnetized piece of metal will have regions of concentrated magnetism called poles. Any such
magnet will have at least two poles of opposite polarity. Magnetism can be either permanent or
induced. A bar having permanent magnetism will retain its magnetism when it is removed from
a magnetizing field. A bar having induced magnetism will lose its magnetism when removed
from the magnetizing field. Whether or not a bar will retain its magnetism on removal from the
magnetizing field will depend on the strength of that field, the degree of hardness of the iron
(retentivity), and upon the amount of physical stress applied to the bar while in the magnetizing
field. The harder the iron, the more permanent will be the magnetism acquired.

N3 004 001 Explains the theory of magnetism as applied to ferromagnetic materials.

The theory sates that all magnetic substances consists of magnetic molecules each being a
minute magnet. When a substance is unmagnetised these minute magnets are not arranged in
any particular direction. In fact it can be proved that they prefer this arrangement rather than to
be lined up in a particular direction.
Once these minute magnets are aligned, the mutual attraction of their poles tend to hold them in
position after the removal of the external force used to align them. This alignment can be
destroyed by physical vibration such as hammering or by heating. The ease with which it can be
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destroyed depends on whether the substance is magnetically hard or magnetically soft. In the
case of ferrous material the terms hard iron and soft iron refer to this particular property
Ferromagnetism is a kind of magnetism that is associated with iron, cobalt, nickel, and steel.
In these elements, the magnetic domains align in the same direction and parallel to each other
to produce strong permanent magnets.

Inside a magnet there are of course magnetic particles, at the atomic level, are aligned. Inside a
bar of magnetic material there are millions of tiny magnets. When the bar is not magnetised
these are joined in closed loops (i). As the bar is magnetized these split up (ii) and (iii) and
when it is fully magnetized, they are arranged in an orderly way, all pointing in one direction (iv)

Terrestrial magnetism. The accepted theory of terrestrial magnetism considers the earth as a
huge magnet surrounded by lines of magnetic force that connect its two magnetic poles. These
magnetic poles are near, but not coincidental, with the geographic poles of the earth.

Since the north-seeking end of a compass needle is conventionally called a red pole, north pole,
or positive pole, it must therefore be attracted to a pole of opposite polarity, or to a blue pole,
South Pole, or negative pole.
The magnetic pole near the north geographic pole is therefore a blue pole, South Pole, or
negative pole; and the magnetic pole near the south geographic pole is a red pole, North Pole,
or positive pole.
Figure below illustrates the earth and its surrounding magnetic field. The flux lines enter the
surface of the earth at different angles to the horizontal, at different magnetic latitudes. This
angle is called the angle of magnetic dip, θ, and increases from zero, at the magnetic equator,
to 90° at the magnetic poles. The total magnetic field is generally considered as having two
components, namely H, the horizontal component, and Z, the vertical component. These
components change as the angle θ changes such that H is maximum at the magnetic equator
and decreases in the direction of either pole; Z is zero at the magnetic equator and increases in
the direction of either pole

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N3 004 002 Describes a simple magnet, its poles and the law of attraction and repulsion.

1. A magnet attracts magnetic materials towards itself. It does not have any effect on non-
ferro magnetic materials.
2. A magnet always has two poles, commonly named as North / South, Red / Blue, North
Seeking / South Seeking etc… If a magnet is broken into 2 pieces, each piece will have
2 poles again. A magnet cannot have only one pole.
3. Magnetic force is greatest at its poles and least at the point between poles.
4. A freely suspended bar magnet always aligns itself with the prevailing magnetic lines of forces.
5. When a magnet is rubbed/placed over another ferromagnetic material, it
6. Passes some of its properties to the material.

Laws of Magnetism
Unlike Poles Attract each other Like Poles attract each other

N3 004 003 Describes the magnetic field round a magnet

Magnetic field is the area around a magnet where its magnetism can be measured.

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Strength of Magnetic Field.
The strength of magnetic field varies inversely as the (distance)2 from the end of the magnet.

Example:
d1 = 4 S1 = 10
d2 = 8 S2 = ?

⸫ (d1)2 = S2
(d2)2 = S1

⸫ 4x4 = S2 = 16 = S2 = 4
8x8 10 64 10

⸫ S2 = 10 = 2.50 units
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N3 004 004 Describes magnetic induction and differentiates between “hard” and “soft”
iron.

Magnetism is in general of two types, permanent and induced. A bar having permanent
magnetism will retain its magnetism when it is removed from the magnetizing field. A bar having
induced magnetism will lose its magnetism when removed from the magnetizing field. Whether
or not a bar will retain its magnetism on removal from the magnetizing field will depend on the
strength of that field, the degree of hardness of the iron (retentivity), and also upon the amount
of physical stress applied to the bar while in the magnetizing field. The harder the iron the more
permanent will be the magnetism acquired

Permanent Magnet produces a magnetic field of its own at all times, stronger the permanent
magnet, stronger is its magnetic field and stronger is its flux. They will retain its magnetism
when it is removed from the magnetizing field. The important point to remember is that they are
a magnet because of their inherent properties and not dependent on external magnetic forces.
These are also known as Hard Iron

HARD IRON
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 Is the name given to a magnetic substance which offers considerable resistance to magnetic
change, i.e. the substance is difficult to magnetise and also difficult to de-magnetise. The
magnetism of hard iron is referred to as 'permanent magnetism'.

A ferromagnetic material when placed close to a permanent magnet will temporarily behave like
a magnet as it gets induced by the magnetic lines of forces. It will, however, lose its magnetism
when removed from the magnetizing field, ie if the permanent magnet is now removed. It may
change polarity also if the permanent magnet is now kept in the opposite end.

SOFT IRON
Is the name given to a magnetic substance which is instantly magnetised when placed in a
magnetic field and is instantly de-magnetised when removed from the field. The magnetism of
soft iron is termed 'induced magnetism'

N3 004 005 Describes the magnetic field of the earth.

Earth's magnetic field, also known as the geomagnetic field, is the magnetic field that
extends from the Earth's interior out into space, where it interacts with the solar wind, a stream
of charged particles emanating from the Sun.

Earth's magnetic field (and the surface magnetic field) is approximately a magnetic dipole,
with the magnetic field S pole near the Earth's geographic north pole and the other magnetic
field N pole near the Earth's geographic south pole. This makes the compass usable for
navigation. The cause of the field can be explained by dynamo theory. A magnetic field extends
infinitely, though it weakens with distance from its source. The Earth's magnetic field, also called
the geomagnetic field, which effectively extends several tens of thousands of kilometres into
space, forms the Earth's magnetosphere.

Earth is largely protected from the solar wind, a stream of energetic charged particles
emanating from the Sun, by its magnetic field, which deflects most of the charged particles

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N3 004 006 Defines “magnetic poles” and “magnetic equator”.

Magnetic Pole

 An area near either the North or South Pole of the Earth toward which the needle of a compass
points

Magnetic Equator

A line joining all positions on the earth’s surface where the direction of the magnetic field is
horizontal is called the magnetic equator.

N3 004 007 Defines “angle of dip”.

Angle of Dip

The vertical angle contained between the horizontal and the direction of the earth’s magnetic
field on the surface of the Earth at any given place is called the Angle of Dip. Dip is
conventionally considered positive when the north end of a freely suspended magnetised
needle dips below the horizontal, and negative when the south end dips below the horizontal. 
Thus all angles of dip north of the equator will be positive and all angles of dip south of the
magnetic equator will be negative.

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Magnetic Equator is very roughly midway between the Magnetic Poles.

N3 004 008 Explains the earth’s total field can be split into horizontal and vertical
components.

Horizontal Component of the Earth (H)

It is the horizontal force which gives the directive property to the magnetic compass. It is called
the directive force of the compass. H is maximum at the magnetic equator and minimum at
poles.
There for it is inversely proportional to the latitude.
So directive force of the compass is highest at the equator.
H also governs the extent to which HIS structures on the ship are magnetized by induction due

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to the earth magnetic field.

Vertical Component of the Earth (Z)

Z acts downward in the northern hemisphere and upward in the S. hemisphere.
It does not contribute to the directive property of the compass. It only tends to dip the compass
card.
Z is maximum at the poles and minimum at the equator.
It is inversely proportional to latitude.
Z governs the extent to which VSI structure are magnetize by induction due to earth magnetic
field.

N3 004 009 Defines “magnetic variation” and explains why it is a slowly changing
quantity

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Magnetic declination is the angular difference between True North and Magnetic North
The earth’s field is very irregular and, in general the magnetic and true meridian do not coincide.
The horizontal angle between the magnetic and true meridian is called the Magnetic Variation.

Variation is called westerly when North lies to the West of true North and easterly when it lies
East of true North.
As the magnetic poles move, so the variation changes. It is subject to three types of changes:
(1) A continuous alteration, called ‘secular change’
(2) A seasonal fluctuation, called ‘annual’ change (N.B. This should not be confused with the
annual alteration due to the ‘secular change’)
(3) Daily fluctuation, called the ‘diurnal’ change.

Of these (2) and (3) may be neglected in practical navigation, although in the UK the diurnal
change, which increases with latitude, may be as great as 25’.

Secular variation
The Earth's magnetic field is slowly changing on time scales that range from years to millennia.
Such changes are referred to as secular variation. Secular variation was first recognized in 1634
when Gellibrand compared magnetic declination observations he had made at London with
earlier observations. The observations of declination made at London over the years constitute
one of the best records of secular variation.
The map below shows the world's magnetic variation values. Red lines indicate easterly
variation and blue lines indicate westerly variation. The green lines indicates zero variation.

Variation can be found on:

i. Coastal charts
ii. Ocean charts Isogonals – Lines of equal Variation
iii. Magnetic charts

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N3 004 010 Explains that a compass needle which is constrained to the horizontal can
only respond to the horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic field.

A magnetic needle freely suspended will lie along the lines of force of the earth’s magnetic field.
At the North and South magnetic poles it will rest vertically with ends down at its pole
respectively. To conform to the law that unlike poles attract each other, the North seeking end of
the compass needle is called ‘Red”. At the magnetic equator, approximately half-way between
the poles, such a needle would be horizontal whereas at any other place the needle will be
inclined at what is known as the angle of dip.

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