Azimuth mirror

Featured snippet from the web

Azimuth mirror is therefore portable equipment which is
placed over a magnetic or gyro compass for measuring
bearings of terrestrial and celestial objects. Sight Vanes
(Near vane & far vane) Allow the observer to take bearings of
objects by aligning the two vanes to the object.
What is an azimuth circle used for?

A device for measuring azimuths, consisting of a graduated

ring equipped with a sighting vane on each side, which fits
concentrically over a compass.

A compass is equipment which is used to find direction while at sea.

An azimuth mirror is used in conjunction with a compass.

This device enables the operator to measure bearings of celestial and

terrestrial obsject.

A compass tells the direction in which the ship is going or the

direction of any other object.

Purpose of Azimuth mirrors (Azimuth

Circle)
Azimuth mirror is used for taking the
bearings of terrestrial and celestial
objects.

By the use of mirrors or lenses or

prisms or combination of all these, the
equipment allows both, the readings of the compass card, and the
object to be seen at the same time and in the same direction.
Thus the bearing of the object can be read out.

Azimuth mirror is therefore portable equipment which is

placed over a magnetic or gyro compass for measuring
bearings of terrestrial and celestial objects.

Sight Vanes (Near vane & far vane)

Allow the observer to take bearings of objects by aligning the
two vanes to the object.

The near vane contains a peep sight while the far vane
contains a vertical wire.

The far vane is mounted on top of a housing that contains a

reflective mirror inside enabling the observer to read the
bearing from the reflected portion of the compass card
Allow the observer to observe azimuths of celestial bodies
(stars and planets) at various altitudes by picking up their
reflection in the black mirror. When the body is observed, its
reflection appears behind the vertical wire in the far vane.

Levels
Indicate if the ring is level with the horizon.

NOTE: Bearings read when the ring is not level are

inaccurate.
Concave mirror
Reflects the sun’s rays onto the prism housing on the other
side of the ring when the observer is taking an azimuth of the
sun.

Operation and maintenance:

1. Place azimuth circle on the compass and aim the sighting at the
object to be observed • When an object onshore is observed, look
straight through the sighting hole and aim the sighting wire at the
object. Then read the degrees on the compass dial from the prism
under the sighting wire. • When a celestial body is to be observed use
the black reflection mirror to reflect the image of the target. If the
light is too bright use the mirror position at 270° to reflect the light
onto the slot of the prism which is opposite the mirror. The degree
can be read from the reflected beam under the prism.

2. When reading the degree do not touch the mirror or compass

body.

3. Caution inspect the Azimuth Circle for error by looking through the
sighting hole and ensure that the sighting wire coincides with the
extension line of the sighting wire. Adjust by loosening the prism
housing and adjust the position of the prism.

4. Caution do not loosen the two leveling screws. It is done at the

factory.

5. Caution do not touch the sighting wire. If the sighting wire becomes
loose or broken it must be tightened or replaced.

6. A light coating of light oil is suggested before you place it on the

compass to reduce friction.

7. Keep the instrument clean and free from moisture or dust

especially the mirror and screen. The azimuth circle should be cleaned
with a soft cloth or chamois after use and placed in the box to prevent
mildew.

How do you calculate wheel over point?

Turning radius = SOG/ROT , that is 1.0 NM. Now, lay two lines
parallel to both the initial course and final course with a
distance of Turning Radius i.e 1NM between them. Mark the
point where the two lines intersect. Now with the help of
compass and with radius equal to Turning radius which is 1.0
NM.
Rate of turn indicator or ROTI on board vessels indicates the
rate a ship is turning. It indicates the rate a ship is turning
in degrees per minute (°/min) . It is one of the most
important instruments a helmsman can have when steering
a course. It can also be used to turn at a steady rate of turn,
which is very important in pilotage water.

Working:-
The principle of the rate of the turn indicator is based on
a gyroscope with an availability of turning in just one
direction. When the ship is steering a straight course, the
gyroscope will point in a straight direction and the pointer
will point to the zero on the display. When the vessel makes
a turn to port, the gyroscope will turn to port side due to
inertia and this will be pointed on the display of the rate of
turn indicator. The same can be said for the starboard side.
Different types of ROTIs:
There are two types of rate of turn indicators: a digital type
and an analog type. Nowadays the analog type is still the
most installed type on board vessels, due to its easy way to
read the rate of turn quickly and correctly. The analog type is
compulsory, the digital type may be installed in the form of a
repeater of the analog type.
Regulations:-
In SOLAS Section V Reg 19 is written:
2.9 All ships of 50,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall, in
addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph 2.8, have:
2.9.1 a rate of turn indicator, or other means, to determine
and display the rate of turn; and 2.9.2 a speed and distance
measuring device, or other means, to indicate speed and
distance over the ground in the forward and athwartships
direction.
3. When "other means" are permitted under this regulation,
such means must be approved by Administration in
accordance with regulation 18.
Construction requirements:-
The International Maritime Organization has developed some
requirements on the development of the rate of turn
indicator.
Display:-
The requirements for the display of the rate of turn indicator
are that the zero has to be on top, the indicator has to go to
the left when ship is turning to port side, and vice versa.

Scale:-
The scale graduation of the rate of turn indicator has to
be linear with a minimum of 30 degrees per minute,
an interval of 1° from zero to thirty and every 10 degrees
have to be marked by a number. The indication for every 5°
and 10° has to be longer than the rest.

Accuracy:-
IMO says that a maximum allowed deviation from the real
situation shown by the rate of turn indicator is 0.5 degrees.
The rate of turn indicator has to keep this accuracy until a
speed of 30 knots is reached.

Start-up time:-
A rate of turn indicator has to be fully operational within four
minutes after start-up.

Testing:-
It has to be possible to test the rate of turn indicator.
AIS:-
If a ship is equipped with an AIS system and a rate of turn
indicator, then the rate of turn indicator must be connected
to the AIS to send the rate of turn to other vessels. This
makes it easier for other vessels to interpret the manouver of
the ship.