From - http://geomag.usgs.gov/dod.

html
MAGNETIC COMPASS – THE EARTH’S MAGNETISM
CONSIDER THE EARTH AS A HUGE MAGNET SURROUNDED BY LINES OF MAGNETIC FLUX
CONNECTING ITS TWO MAGNETIC POLES. THESE MAGNETIC POLES ARE NEAR, BUT NOT
COINCIDENTAL WITH, THE EARTH’S GEOGRAPHIC POLES. THE ADJACENT FIGURE SHOWS 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 0° AT THE
MAGNETIC EQUATOR TO 90° AT THE MAGNETIC POLES. THE TWO COMPONENTS OF THE
MAGNETIC FIELD : H, HORIZONTAL; AND Z, VERTICAL COMPONENT CHANGE AS THE ANGLE θ
CHANGES, SUCH THAT H IS MAXIMUM AT THE MAGNETIC EQUATOR AND DECREASES IN THE
DIRECTION OF EITHER POLE, WHILE Z IS ZERO AT THE MAGNETIC EQUATOR AND INCREASES IN
THE DIRECTION OF EITHER POLE.

Magnetic dip for the world

1
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From - http://geomag.usgs.gov/dod.html
MAGNETIC COMPASS – MAGNETIC POLES & VARIATION
• SINCE THE MAGNETIC POLES OF THE EARTH DO NOT COINCIDE WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC
POLES, A COMPASS NEEDLE IN LINE WITH THE EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD WILL POINT TO
MAGNETIC NORTH AND NOT TRUE NORTH.
• THE ANGULAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRUE MERIDIAN (GREAT CIRCLE CONNECTING
THE GEOGRAPHIC POLES) AND THE MAGNETIC MERIDIAN (DIRECTION OF THE LINES OF
MAGNETIC FLUX) IS CALLED VARIATION. THIS VARIATION HAS DIFFERENT VALUES AT
DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON THE EARTH. THESE VALUES OF MAGNETIC VARIATION MAY BE
FOUND ON PILOT CHARTS AND ON THE COMPASS ROSE OF NAVIGATIONAL CHARTS.
• THE MAGNETIC POLES
KEEP SHIFTING
SLOWLY, SO THAT
VARIATION FOR MOST
AREAS UNDERGOES A
SMALL ANNUAL
CHANGE. VARIATION
AND THE RATE OF
CHANGE OF
VARIATION FOR A
GIVEN AREA IS NOTED
ON THE CHART AT THE
COMPASS ROSE OR Magnetic variation for the world 2
ALONG ISOGONIC2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From - http://geomag.usgs.gov/dod.html
MAGNETIC COMPASS – THE SHIP’S MAGNETISM & DEVIATION
• A SHIP UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR WILL ACQUIRE PERMANENT MAGNETISM DUE
TO HAMMERING AND VIBRATION WHILE SITTING STATIONARY IN THE EARTH’S MAGNETIC
FIELD. AFTER LAUNCHING, THE SHIP WILL LOSE SOME OF THIS ORIGINAL MAGNETISM AS A
RESULT OF VIBRATION AND POUNDING IN VARYING MAGNETIC FIELDS, AND WILL
EVENTUALLY REACH A MORE OR LESS STABLE MAGNETIC CONDITION. THE MAGNETISM
WHICH REMAINS IS THE PERMANENT MAGNETISM OF THE SHIP.
• IN ADDITION TO ITS PERMANENT MAGNETISM, A SHIP ACQUIRES INDUCED MAGNETISM
WHEN PLACED IN THE EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD. THIS INDUCED MAGNETISM MAY ADD TO,
OR SUBTRACT FROM, THE PERMANENT MAGNETISM ALREADY PRESENT IN THE SHIP,
DEPENDING ON HOW THE SHIP IS ALIGNED IN THE MAGNETIC FIELD.
• THE MAGNETISM IN THE VARIOUS STRUCTURES OF A SHIP, WHICH TENDS TO CHANGE AS A
RESULT OF CRUISING, VIBRATION, OR AGING, BUT WHICH DOES NOT ALTER IMMEDIATELY
SO AS TO BE PROPERLY TERMED INDUCED MAGNETISM, IS CALLED SUBPERMANENT
MAGNETISM. THIS MAGNETISM, AT ANY INSTANT, IS PART OF THE SHIP’S PERMANENT
MAGNETISM, AND CONSEQUENTLY MUST BE CORRECTED BY PERMANENT MAGNET
CORRECTORS. IT IS THE PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF DEVIATION CHANGES ON A MAGNETIC
COMPASS.
• THE MAGNETIC COMPASS MUST BE CORRECTED FOR THE VESSEL’S PERMANENT AND
INDUCED MAGNETISM SO THAT IT BEHAVES AS THOUGH IT IS ON A COMPLETELY
NONMAGNETIC VESSEL.
• SHIP’S MAGNETIC CONDITIONS CREATE MAGNETIC COMPASS DEVIATIONS AND SECTORS OF
3
SLUGGISHNESS AND 2M/BR.
UNSTEADINESS. DEVIATION
EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS IS Gomez
- Capt. S.F. DEFINED AS DEFLECTION EAST OR WEST
 From - http://geomag.usgs.gov/dod.html
MAGNETIC COMPASS – WHY CHECK DEVIATION ANNUALLY?
• DEVIATION DUE TO PERMANENT MAGNETISM OF THE SHIP IS CORRECTED BY SETTING
PERMANENT MAGNET CORRECTORS BELOW THE COMPASS CARD SO AS TO NEUTRALIZE
THE PERMANENT MAGNETIC FIELD DUE TO THE VESSEL.
• DEVIATION DUE TO INDUCED MAGNETISM IN THE SHIPS STRUCTURE IS CORRECTED BY THE
USE OF SOFT IRON CORRECTORS SET SO AS TO NEUTRALIZE THE INDUCED MAGNETIC
FIELDS. SOFT IRON SPHERES OR “KELVINS BALLS” ARE PLACED ATHWARTSHIPS TO
COMPENSATE FOR THE LARGER INDUCED MAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE FORE AND AFT LINE OF
THE SHIP. WHERE THERE IS GREATER INDUCED MAGNETISM FORWARD OF THE COMPASS, A
SOFT IRON BAR CALLED A FLINDERS BAR IS PLACED AFT OF THE COMPASS AND VICE VERSA.
• DEVIATION DUE TO SUBPERMANENT MAGNETISM IS TREATED AS PERMANENT MAGNETISM
AND IS ALSO CORRECTED BY THE USE OF PERMANENT MAGNETIC CORRECTORS. HOWEVER,
AS THE SUBPERMANENT MAGNETISM FADES AWAY OR CHANGES WITH TIME, THE
RESIDUAL DEVIATION AT THE COMPASS BEGINS TO CHANGE.
• FOR THIS REASON, THE SHIP MUST BE SWUNG ANNUALLY TO VERIFY THE DEVIATION AND IF
LARGE CHANGES [OVER 5 DEGREES] ARE NOTED, THE COMPASS MUST BE RE-CALIBRATED
BY A COMPETENT COMPASS ADJUSTER AND A NEW DEVIATION CARD PREPARED TO SHOW
RESIDUAL DEVIATION AFTER CALIBRATION.

4
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From - http://geomag.usgs.gov/dod.html
MAGNETIC COMPASS – THE SHIP’S MAGNETISM & DEVIATION
DEVIATION AND THE EFFECT OF HEADING :
• CONSIDER A VESSEL WHOSE SELF MAGNETISM IS SUCH THAT A NORTH POLE LIES AT THE
SHIPS HEAD.
• WHEN ON A NORTHERLY COURSE THE VECTOR SUM OF THE EARTH’S MAGNETISM AND THE
SHIP’S WOULD ADD UP WITH NO CHANGE IN DIRECTION AND THE COMPASS WOULD
DISPLAY NORTH.
• IF THE VESSEL HEADS EAST THE VECTOR SUM OF THE EARTH’S MAGNETISM AND THE SHIP’S
WOULD PRODUCE A RESULTANT THAT LEANS TOWARD THE EAST THUS CAUSING AN
EASTERLY DEVIATION
• WHEN HEADING WEST THE RESULTANT DEVIATION WOULD BE TOWARD WEST.
• WHEN HEADING SOUTH THE VECTOR SUM WOULD RESULT IN A REDUCED FORCE BUT
DIRECTION WOULD REMAIN SOUTH.
• THUS DEVIATION CHANGES WITH CHANGE IN HEADING.
• FOLLOWING CALIBRATION OF THE COMPASS BY A QUALIFIED COMPASS ADJUSTER, A CURVE
INDICATING THE RESIDUAL DEVIATION OF THE COMPASS IS PLOTTED AND MADE AVAILABLE
TO THE MASTER. THIS IS DONE BY SWINGING THE VESSEL SLOWLY AND COMPARING THE
COMPASS BEARING AT REGULAR INTERVALS [FROM 000-359] AGAINST A KNOWN OBJECTS
TRUE BEARING [CORRECTED GYRO BEARING IS USUALLY USED]. THE DEVIATION CARD MUST
BE DISPLAYED ON THE BRIDGE.
• THE DEVIATION CARD MUST ALSO BE UPDATED EVERY TWO YEARS.
• THE TOTAL ERROR OF A COMPASS IS THE ALGEBRAIC SUM OF VARIATION AND DEVIATION.
• SINCE VARIATION IS CONTINUALLY CHANGING
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC AND
COMPASS - Capt. DEVIATION CHANGES WITH HEADING5 IT
S.F. Gomez
 MAGNETIC COMPASS –DEVIATION CARD & COMPASS ERROR
MAKING A DEVIATION CARD
• LOCATE A CONSPICUOUS OBJECT FROM WHICH YOU CAN TAKE A TRUE BEARING.
• SWING THE VESSEL’S HEAD UNTIL IT IS POINTING DUE NORTH.
• READ OFF THE TRUE BEARING BY GYRO AND THE MAGNETIC COMPASS AND APPLY THE
VARIATION.
• THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS RESULT AND THE TRUE BEARING IS THE DEVIATION ON
THIS HEADING. IF THE TRUE BEARING IS GREATER, THE DEVIATION IS NAMED EAST, IF IT IS
THE LESSER, THE DEVIATION IS NAMED WEST.
• REPEAT THE PROCEDURE TAKING BEARINGS ON EACH OF THE CARDINAL AND
INTERCARDINAL POINTS.
• PLOT THE RESULTS ON A GRAPH TO MAKE UP THE DEVIATION CARD.

DETERMINING COMPASS ERROR

• THE BEST AND SIMPLEST METHOD IS BY TRANSIT BEARING. COMPARED WITH COMPASS
BEARING AFTER APPLYING CORRECTION FOR VARIATION.
• CALCULATED AZIMUTH OF THE SUN, PLANETS, STARS WILL GIVE TRUE BEARING THAT CAN
BE COMPARED WITH COMPASS BEARING AFTER APPLYING CORRECTION FOR VARIATION.
• CALCULATED AZIMUTH OF POLARIS WILL GIVE TRUE BEARING THAT CAN BE COMPARED
WITH COMPASS BEARING AFTER APPLYING CORRECTION FOR VARIATION.
• BY AMPLITUDE OF THE SUN AT RISING OR SETTING. AMPLITUDE IS THE COMPLEMENT OF
THE AZIMUTH ANGLE. FROM THE TRUE BEARING SO OBTAINED, COMPASS ERROR CAN BE
6
DETERMINED. 2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 MAGNETIC COMPASS – REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
• SOLAS CH.V REG.19 REQUIRES ALL VESSELS OVER 150 GRT TO BE FITTED WITH A PROPERLY
ADJUSTED MAGNETIC COMPASS. THEY MUST ALSO BE FITTED WITH A PELORUS, OR OTHER
MEANS, TO TAKE BEARINGS OVER AN ARC OF 360° OF THE HORIZON AND A MEANS FOR
CORRECTING HEADING AND BEARINGS TO TRUE AT ALL TIMES.
• REG.19 ALSO REQUIRES ALL SHIPS OF 150 GT AND OVER, AND ALL PASSENGER SHIPS TO CARRY
A SPARE MAGNETIC COMPASS (OR EQUIVALENT).
AS PER ANNEX 13
• MAGNETIC COMPASS MUST BE ADJUSTED WHEN THEY ARE FIRST FITTED AND A TABLE OR
CURVE OF RESIDUAL DEVIATIONS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES.
• THE COMPASS SHOULD BE RE-ADJUSTED EVERY TWO YEARS IF A RECORD OF DEVIATIONS IS NOT
MAINTAINED, OR
• WHEN THEY BECOME UNRELIABLE
• WHEN STRUCTURAL CHANGES ALTER THE VESSELS PERMANENT AND/OR INDUCED
MAGNETISM
• ELECTRICAL OR MAGNETIC EQUIPMENT CLOSE TO THE COMPASS IS ADDED, REMOVED OR
ALTERED
• THE RECORDED DEVIATIONS ARE EXCESSIVE OR WHEN THE COMPASS SHOWS PHYSICAL
DEFECTS
• THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MAGNETIC COMPASS SHOULD BE VERIFIED AFTER,
• CARRYING CARGOES THAT HAVE MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
• USING ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICES TO LOAD/DISCHARGE
7
• A CASUALTY WHERE THEEQP/MAGNETIC
2M/BR. SHIP IS SUBJECT
COMPASS -TO
Capt.SEVERE
S.F. GomezCONTACT OR ELECTRICAL CHARGES
 MAGNETIC COMPASS – REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
• THOUGH CALIBRATION IS REQUIRED EVERY 2 YEARS, THE COMPASS DEVIATION SHOULD BE
VERIFIED YEARLY BY SWINGING THE VESSEL AND COMPARING MEASURED DEVIATION WITH THE
PREVIOUS CALIBRATION. AS THE VESSEL PASSES THROUGH THE VARYING MAGNETIC FIELDS OF
DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE EARTHS’ SURFACE THE VESSELS SUB-PERMANENT MAGNETISM IS
AFFECTED AND THIS CAUSES CHANGES IN DEVIATION. VERIFICATION IS DONE IN ORDER TO
ENSURE THAT THE DEVIATION OF THE COMPASS HAS NOT GROWN EXCESSIVE.
• IF A TRANSMITTING MAGNETIC COMPASS [TMC] IS USED OR IF EXISTING COMPASS IS MODIFIED
TO PROVIDE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT, EACH DEVICE MUST BE INDIVIDUALLY CERTIFIED WITH
THE TRANSMITTING DEVICE IN PLACE.
• IF THE TMC PROVIDES HEADING INFORMATION [I.E. READ BY THE HELMSMAN] THEN THE SPARE
COMPASS MUST BE FITTED WITH A TRANSMITTING DEVICE AND INDIVIDUALLY CERTIFIED.
HOWEVER IF THE HEADING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY THE REFLECTED IMAGE OF THE
STANDARD COMPASS OF STEERING COMPASS, THE SPARE COMPASS DOES NOT REQUIRE A
SEPARATE TRANSMITTING DEVICE.
• SPARE MAGNETIC COMPASS BOWL SHOULD BE STOWED CAREFULLY, TOGETHER WITH ITS
GIMBAL UNITS, AWAY FROM THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE SO THAT THEY ARE UNAFFECTED BY ANY
CASUALTY DISABLING THE BRIDGE.

8
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From – Sperry – Navistar Guide
MAGNETIC COMPASS – TRANSMITTING HEADING DEVICE
TRANSMITTING HEADING DEVICE
• AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE PROVIDING
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHIPS
TRUE HEADING.
• MAY USE INPUT FROM ANY HEADING
SOURCE, E.G. GYRO, MAGNETIC,
ELECTRONIC COMPASS, GPS ETC.
• ALL OUTPUTS/DISPLAYS SHOULD
INDICATE TRUE HEADING.
• MANUALLY SET VALUES FOR
ELECTRONIC CORRECTIONS OF
HEADING SHOULD BE CLEARLY
INDICATED.
• MUST MEET IMO STANDARDS
REGARDING ACCURACY.
• AT LEAST ONE OUTPUT MUST BE AS
PER INTERNATIONAL MARINE
STANDARD [NMEA].
• MUST HAVE ALARMS TO INDICATE
EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION AND
POWER FAILURE.
9
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From - http://geomag.usgs.gov/dod.html
MAGNETIC COMPASS – CORRECTING FOR VARIATION & DEVIATION
TO OBTAIN THE CORRECT COMPASS BEARING FROM TRUE BEARING AND VICE VERSA, WE
MUST APPLY CORRECTIONS FOR VARIATION AND DEVIATION.
THUMB RULES :
• VARIATION WEST, MAGNETIC BEST & VARIATION EAST, MAGNETIC LEAST
• DEVIATION WEST, COMPASS BEST & DEVIATION EAST, COMPASS LEAST
• TVMDC [TV MAKES DULL COMPANY] & THE REVERSE CDMVT GIVES,
• TRUE +/-VAR = MAG +/-DEV = COMPASS
• COMPASS +/-DEV = MAG +/-VAR = TRUE

EXAMPLE : Compass to True

Compass Course        215° C
COMPASS COURSE 215C, DEV 6W, VAR 11E, Deviation          6°  W   (Compass best, so subtract W)
FIND TRUE COURSE Magnetic Course      209°  M  
Variation        11°   E    (Magnetic least, so add E) 
True course      220°  T 

TRUE COURSE 220T, VAR 11E, DEV 5W, True to Compass

True Course         220°  T
FIND COMPASS COURSE Variation          11°  E    (Magnetic least, so subtract E)
Magnetic Course        209°  M 
Deviation           5°  W   (Compass best, so add W) 
Compass course        214°  C

10
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From – Magnetic Compass by Capt. Subramaniam
MAGNETIC COMPASS – TYPES AND CONSTRUCTION
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF MAGNETIC COMPASSES – DRY CARD AND WET CARD TYPE.
• A DRY CARD COMPASS RESPONDS QUICKLY TO CHANGES IN HEADING AND IS SUITABLE FOR
TAKING BEARINGS ETC.
• THE WET CARD COMPASS IS DAMPED BY THE LIQUID IN THE COMPASS BOWL AND RESPONDS
SLOWLY AND SMOOTHLY MAKING IT SUITABLE AS A STEERING COMPASS.
• A LIGHT ALUMINUM
CONSTRUCTION OF A DRY CARD
RING COMPASS
ABOUT 254MM : [10 INCHES] IS
ATTACHED TO A BRASS HUB WITH SILK CORD THREADED
THROUGH HOLES IN THE RING AND HUB.
• THE HUB HAS A CAP WITH A SAPPHIRE BEARING AND
RESTS ON A PIVOT TIPPED WITH IRIDIUM.
• SILK CORD IS USED AS IT DOES NOT SHRINK OR STRETCH
WITH CHANGE IN MOISTURE OR TEMPERATURE.
• THE COMPASS CARD IS MADE OF RICE PAPER AND STUCK
OVER THE FRAME.
• THE DIRECTIVE ELEMENT CONSISTS OF 4 OR 5 PAIRS OF
NEEDLE MAGNETS, PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, THEIR
ENDS FORMING A CIRCLE, SUSPENDED JUST BELOW THE
COMPASS CARD.
• THE CENTRE OF GRAVITY OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY LIES
BELOW THE TIP OF THE PIVOT AND SERVES TO KEEP THE
CARD HORIZONTAL EVEN IN EQP/MAGNETIC
ROLLING AND PITCHING. 11
2M/BR. COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From – Magnetic Compass by Capt. Subramaniam
MAGNETIC COMPASS – TYPES AND CONSTRUCTION
Verge Ring
THE DRY CARD COMPASS BOWL : Clear
• THE COMPASS CARD IS ENCLOSED IN A BRASS
BOWL WITH A TRANSPARENT GLASS TOP AND A Compass card
FROSTED GLASS BOTTOM. Pivot
• THE GLASS TOP IS SECURED BY A BRASS “VERGE
RING” SECURED TO THE BOWL BY EQUIDISTANT
Magnets
SCREWS AND MADE WATERPROOF BY A
RUBBER WASHER. THE AZIMUTH CIRCLE FITS IN
A GROOVE IN THE VERGE RING.
• THE FROSTED GLASS BOTTOM IS ALSO SEALED [Frosted]
OFF WITH A RUBBER WASHER TO KEEP THE
UPPER CHAMBER DRY.
• THE SPACE BETWEEN THE PIVOT AND THE
CLEAR GLASS TOP IS SUCH THAT EVEN IF THE
BOWL IS INVERTED THE CARD WILL NOT [Glass Hemisphere]
• THE BOTTOM OF
COMPLETELY THE BOWL FROM
DISENGAGE IS A GLASS
THEHEMISPHERE
PIVOT. WITH A
MIXTURE OF ALCOHOL
WHEN UPRIGHT AND WILL
THE CARD WATERAGAIN[LOW REST
FREEZING POINT,
ABOUT -30C].
CORRECTLY ONTHETHE WEIGHT
PIVOT. OF THIS FILLED BOWL LOWERS
THE CENTRE OF GRAVITY OF THE ASSEMBLY TO WELL BELOW
THE COMPASS CARD.
• THE LUBBER LINE INDICATES THE DIRECTION OF THE SHIPS
12
HEAD AND IS ALIGNED WITH
2M/BR. THE SHIPS
EQP/MAGNETIC CENTRE
COMPASS - Capt.LINE.
S.F. Gomez
 From – Magnetic Compass by Capt. Subramaniam
MAGNETIC COMPASS – TYPES AND CONSTRUCTION
SUSPENSION OF THE COMPASS BOWL :
• TWO ATHWARTSHIPS PIVOTS HOLD THE
BOWL IN A GIMBALLED SUPPORT THAT IS
ITSELF PIVOTED ALONG THE FORE-AFT
AXIS.
• THE COMPASS BOWL, HAVING A LOW
CENTRE OF GRAVITY, WILL THEREFORE
TEND TO REMAIN HORIZONTAL EVEN IN
ROLLING AND PITCHING.

13
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From – Magnetic Compass by Capt. Subramaniam
MAGNETIC COMPASS – TYPES AND CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION OF A WET CARD COMPASS :
• THE WET CARD - EARLIER MADE OF MICA,
PHOTO PRINTED. TODAY THEY ARE OF
ALUMINUM WITH CUTOUTS FOR THE MARKINGS.
DIAMETER IS ABOUT 15CM.
• THE CARD IS ATTACHED TO A NICKLE-SILVER
FLOAT CHAMBER FITTED WITH A SAPPHIRE CAP
THAT RESTS ON AN IRIDIUM TIPPED PIVOT.
• THE FLOAT CHAMBER TAKES THE WEIGHT OF THE
CARD AND REDUCES THE LOAD ON THE PIVOT SO
THAT ROTATION OF THE CARD IS NEARLY
FRICTION FREE.
• THE DIRECTIVE ELEMENT IS A RING MAGNET
INSIDE THE FLOAT CHAMBER. THIS REDUCES
FRICTION AND TURBULENCE.
• THE LIQUID DAMPS OSCILLATIONS OF THE CARD
• IT
ANDHASPROVIDES
A LOW FREEZING POINT -30C,
A SMOOTHER ANDLOW DENSITY 0.93,
STEADIER
LOW EXPANSION
INDICATION. IT IS A AND
MIXTUREDOES NOT
OF DISTILLED CAUSE
DISCOLORATION OF THE CARD.
WATER AND ALCOHOL.
• CORRUGATED
A PORTION OF OR
THEASIDE
SEPARATE
OF THEBELLOWS
BOWL MAY IS BE
FITTED
THINNED AT THE BOTTOM AFT OF THE BOWL TO
ALLOW
AND FOR EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE LIQUID. THE BOWL IS ABOUT 23 CM
DIAMETER WITH A CLEAR GLASS TOP AND FROSTED GLASS BOTTOM EXCEPT FOR CLEAR ARC
14
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS
BY THE LUBBER LINE. SUSPENSION/GIMBAL AS- Capt.
IN DRYS.F. Gomez
COMPASS.
 From – Magnetic Compass by Capt. Subramaniam
MAGNETIC COMPASS – TYPES AND CONSTRUCTION
THE BINNACLE :
• THIS IS THE HOUSING FOR THE COMPASS. IT USED TO BE
MADE OF TEAK WOOD USING BRASS SCREWS AND
NAILS. NO MAGNETIC MATERIAL IS USED. TODAY MOST
BINNACLES ARE OF FIBERGLASS.
• THE COMPASS BOWL IS GIMBALLED INSIDE AT THE
UPPER PART OF THE BINNACLE. A DETACHABLE
COVER/HELMET ALLOWS ACCESS FROM TOP. THE
HELMET PROTECTS THE COMPASS FROM RAIN, SUN ETC.
• A LAMP FITTED BELOW THE COMPASS BOWL IS USED
WHEN TAKING BEARINGS. A LAMP OVER THE BOWL
PROVIDES ILLUMINATION WHEN READING THE COMPASS
FROM THE BRIDGE.
• THE MID PART IS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH A WATERTIGHT
DOOR. IT CONTAINS F-A & P-S PERMANENT MAGNETS
COMPENSATE FOR THE PERMANENT MAGNETISM OF
THE VESSEL ITSELF.
• HEELING ERROR CORRECTOR PERMANENT MAGNETS
ARE PLACED IN A BUCKET AND BY MEANS OF A
GRADUATED CHAIN SET IN A HOLLOW TUBE IN THE
BINNACLE.
• THE NUMBER AND POSITIONING OF THE
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC F-A - &
COMPASS P-S
Capt. S.F.AND
Gomez
15
 From - http://geomag.usgs.gov/dod.html
MAGNETIC COMPASS – COMPASS BINNACLE AND CORRECTORS
CORRECTORS
1. VERTICAL PERMANENT HEELING MAGNETS IN THE
CENTRAL VERTICAL TUBE – CORRECTS FOR BOTH
PERMANENT AND INDUCED MAGNETIC ERRORS THAT
CAUSE THE CARD TO BECOME UNSTEADY WHEN THE
VESSEL ROLLS. A GRADUATED CHAIN ALLOWS PRECISE
ASJUSTMENT.
2. FORE-AND-AFT B PERMANENT MAGNETS IN THEIR
TRAYS – COMPENSATES FOR PERMANENT MAGNETIC
FIELDS AT THE COMPASS.
3. ATHWARTSHIP C PERMANENT MAGNETS IN THEIR
TRAYS – COMPENSATES FOR PERMANENT MAGNETIC
FIELDS AT THE COMPASS.
4. VERTICAL SOFT IRON FLINDERS BAR IN ITS EXTERNAL
TUBE – COMPENSATES FOR INDUCED MAGNETISM. IF
MORE SHIP STRUCTURE LIES AFT OF THE COMPASS,
FLINDERS BAR IS PLACED FORWARD OF THE BINNACLE
AND VICE VERSA. TOTAL LENGTH OF BAR IS ADJUSTED
AT INITIAL CALIBRATION.
5. SOFT IRON QUADRANTAL SPHERES OR KELVINS
BALLS – COMPENSATES FOR INDUCED MAGNETISM IN
SYMMETRICAL HORIZONTAL SOFT IRON INCOMPASS
THE VESSEL 16
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From - http://geomag.usgs.gov/dod.html
MAGNETIC COMPASS – THE COMPASS PROJECTOR
• THE OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING THE
COMPASS READING TO THE HELMSMAN IS FITTED IN A
BRASS TUBE OF ABOUT 15CM DIAMETER MOUNTED AT
THE FORE PART OF THE BINNACLE. IT EXTENDS FROM
JUST BELOW THE COMPASS BOWL TO BELOW THE
DECKHEAD IN THE WHEELHOUSE.
• LIGHT FROM THE LAMP IS CONCENTRATED BY THE
CONDENSER, PASSES THROUGH THE COMPASS
CARD/LUBBER LINE TO THE TUBE.
• THE OBJECTIVE AND FIELD LENSES MAGNIFY THE Lower
section is
IMAGE BUT INVERT IT [LUBBER LINE AFT] adjustable
• THE ERECTING LENS CORRECTS AND PROJECTS THE in height
and can be
IMAGE ONTO A GREY GLASS SCREEN [LUBBER LINE FWD rotated
BUT NUMBERS LATERALLY INVERTED [RIGHT TO LEFT]. from
• THE PLANE MIRROR
MIRROR AT THE BOTTOM CORRECTS THE centre to
sides
DISPLAYS AN DISPLAYS
INVERSION AND ARC THE UPRIGHT IMAGE.
ABOUT 25O ON
EITHER SIDE OF THE
LUBBER LINE AS IF
VIEWED FROM THE
TOP OF THE Adjustable
COMPASS. 17
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From – Magnetic Compass by Capt. Subramanian
MAGNETIC COMPASS – MAINTENANCE
• SPARE MAGNETIC COMPASS BOWL SHOULD BE STOWED CAREFULLY, TOGETHER WITH ITS
GIMBAL UNITS, AWAY FROM THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE SO THAT THEY ARE UNAFFECTED BY ANY
CASUALTY DISABLING THE BRIDGE.
• SPARE DRY CARDS MUST BE STOWED ON ON TOP OF THE OTHER WITH OPPOSITE POLES
TOGETHER, AWAY FROM OTHER MAGNETIC OR ELECTRIC FIELDS AND SOURCES OF VIBRATION.
• WHEN NEW CARDS ARE PUT INTO SERVICE THEIR DETAILS AND THE DATE TAKEN INTO SERVICE
MUST BE RECORDED IN THE AZIMUTH LOG, MATES LOG AND THE STORAGE BOX.
• CLEAN AND PAINT THE EXPOSED PARTS OF THE BINNACLE, SOFT IRON SPHERES ETC AS
REQUIRED.
• BRASS PARTS MUST BE POLISHED REGULARLY.
• CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE BINNACLE INCLUDING THE COMPASS BOWL AND ACCESSIBLE
OPTICS.
• IF BUBBLES FORM IN THE BOWL, REMOVE IT BY INJECTING A LITTLE ETHYL ALCOHOL OR
DISTILLED WATER THROUGH THE FILLING HOLE. SOME BOWLS HAVE A BUBBLE TRAP FOR TINY
BUBBLES. TILT THE BOWL AND GET THE BUBBLE TO ENTER THE TRAP.
• IF THE LAMPS IN THE BINNACLE GET FUSED, REPLACE THEM WITH THE EXACT SAME TYPE.
FROSTED LAMPS ARE NORMALLY USED TO REDUCE GLARE. MAKE SURE THE DIMMERS ARE
WORKING WELL.
• ALL OPENINGS TO THE BINNACLE, INCLUDING THE HOOD MUST BE KEPT TIGHTLY SHUT WHEN
NOT REQUIRED TO BE OPEN.
• DO NOT USE MAGNETIC MATERIAL OR IRON/STEEL TOOLS OR BRING ELECTRICAL FIELDS NEAR
THE COMPASS. 18
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez
 From – Magnetic Compass by Capt. Subramanian
MAGNETIC COMPASS – ERROR IN AZIMUTH MIRROR
CHECKING THE ERROR OF THE AZIMUTH MIRROR
• TAKE TWO BEARINGS OF THE SAME OBJECT, ONE WITH ARROW UP AND ONE WITH ARROW
DOWN
• COMPARE BEARINGS. BOTH SHOULD BE THE SAME.
• IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE AN ERROR EXISTS AND THE PRISM SHOULD BE ADJUSTED TO
REMOVE THIS ERROR.

19
2M/BR. EQP/MAGNETIC COMPASS - Capt. S.F. Gomez