Lesson 9
Compasses
LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
The Learner shall be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the
Ship’s compass
Discuss the overview of the Ship’s
Compass: its uses, type, and how it is
applied in the chart.
Name the different points of a Compass
Discuss the Variation and Deviation and
the rules in finding variation, deviation,
and compass errors.
Determine True course and Compass
course using variation and Deviation
Compass
It is a device used to give
directions. The compass allows
ships to steer a selected course.
By taking bearings of
visible objects with a compass,
the navigator is also able to fix
a ship's position on a chart.
Two main types
of Compass
GYRO COMPASS
MAGNETIC
COMPASS
Gyro
Compass
It seeks true Meridian.
It also receives directive power from gyroscope operated
by power driven motors.
A gyrocompass is a type of non-magnetic compass which
is based on a fast-spinning disc and rotation of the Earth
(or another planetary body if used elsewhere in the
universe) to automatically find geographical direction.
Gyrocompasses are widely used for navigation on ships,
because they have two significant advantages over
magnetic compasses: they find true north and they are
unaffected by ferromagnetic material.
Function: The gyro compass provides
accurate heading information, unaffected by
magnetic influences.
Contribution to Safety: A gyro compass
ensures precise course-keeping and heading
information, critical for safe navigation and
maneuvering.
Rationale for Arrangement: The gyro
compass repeater is often located at the helm
for the helmsman's reference and is also
visible from the main navigation position.
a gyro compass, or
other means, to determine
and display their heading
by shipborne non-magnetic
means, being readable
by the helmsman at the
main steering position.
a gyrocompass heading
repeater, or other means,
to supply heading
information visually at the
emergency steering
position if provided;
gyrocompass bearing
repeater, or other means,
to take bearings, over an
arc of the horizon of 360°,
using the gyrocompass.
Magnetic
Compass
Function: The magnetic compass
is a fundamental navigational
instrument used to determine the
ship's heading relative to the
Earth's magnetic field.
It consists of a magnetic needle
suspended in a liquid-filled
housing, which aligns itself with
the Earth's magnetic north-south
axis.
The compass provides a simple
and reliable means of determining
the ship's direction, essential for
maintaining course and ensuring
accurate navigation.
Contribution to Safety of
Navigation: The magnetic
compass contributes significantly
to the safety of navigation by:
Backup Navigation: While modern
electronic systems like gyro
compasses and GPS are widely
used, the magnetic compass serves
as a crucial backup navigation tool.
It remains functional even if other
systems fail due to electrical or
technical issues.
•Magnetic Anomaly Detection:
The magnetic compass can help
detect magnetic anomalies that
might affect the ship's navigation,
such as local deviations in the
Earth's magnetic field caused by
underwater geological features.
•Collision Avoidance:
In the event of electronic system
failures, the magnetic compass
ensures that the ship can
maintain a basic heading
reference, aiding in collision
avoidance and preventing
•Visibility: The magnetic compass is
Rationale for positioned at a location on the bridge that
Arrangement: provides a clear and unobstructed view to
the officer on watch (OOW) and
The arrangement
helmsman. This allows for quick and
of the magnetic accurate reading of the ship's heading.
compass on the
navigational
bridge follows
SOLAS provisions
and best practices
to ensure optimal
functionality and
accessibility:
•Redundancy: SOLAS recognizes the importance of
redundancy in navigational equipment.
The magnetic compass serves as a primary backup to
electronic systems and is positioned to be readily available
in case of emergencies or system failures.
• Illumination:
Adequate lighting is
provided to ensure the
magnetic compass is
visible and legible at
all times, including
during night
operations or reduced
visibility conditions.
•Protection:
The compass is housed in a
suitable enclosure to protect it
from weather elements and
vibrations, ensuring its
accuracy and reliability.
•Calibration and
Maintenance:
Regular calibration and
maintenance of the magnetic
compass are essential to its
accuracy. The compass's
arrangement allows for
convenient access for
adjustments and upkeep.
2.2 All ships of 150 gross
tonnage and upwards and
passenger ships irrespective of
size shall, in addition to the
requirements be fitted with:
a spare magnetic compass,
interchangeable with the
magnetic compass or other
means to perform the function
by means of replacement or
duplicate equipment;
Lubber’s Line - This is a reference mark on the inside of the
compass bowl. It is aligned with the ship's fore and aft axis or keel
line of the ship. The lubber line is a reference for the reading of
direction from the compass card. The reading of the compass card on
the lubber line at any time is the "ship's heading."
Points (of a
compass)
It refers to the 32
divisions of a
compass, at intervals
of 11 1/4°.
Each division is further
divided into quarter
points.
Cardinal points
The four main
points of the compass:
North
East
South
West
Intercardinal
Points
Refers to points located
halfway between the cardinal
points.
Also called “Intermediate
points” or “Quarter Points”
Northeast
Southeast
Southwest
Northwest
Boxing the Compass
Refers stating in order
the names of the points
(and sometimes the half
and quarter points) of the
compass.
Compass Error
Compass Error
It is defined as the angular difference between
the compass direction and the corresponding
true direction. It may be easily computed since it
is the algebraic sum of variation and
deviation.
Variation- is the angular difference between the
True North and the Magnetic meridian. This is
caused by earth’s magnetic field.
Deviation - is the difference between magnetic
north and the direction in which the compass is
pointing.
True heading- When the angle is referred to
the true meridian.
Magnetic heading - When the angle is referred
to the magnetic meridian.
CORRECTING
THE
COMPASS
RULE:
EAST +, WEST –
Compass least, error
east, compass best,
error west.
UNCORRECTING
THE COMPASS
RULE:
EAST - , WEST +
Compass least, error
east, compass best,
error west.
SOLVING
COMPASS ERROR
Youtube Tutorials:
Compass Error Calculation - Coastal Navigation – YouTube
Navigation - Compass Error (youtube.com)
RULE:
Example:
EAST +, WEST –
C =
D = 1.7 W Compass least, error
east, compass best,
M = 115.4 error west.
V = 4.3 E
T =
What is the result of your Compass
Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST +, WEST –
C = 089 Compass least, error
D = east, compass best,
M = 087.9 error west.
V =
T = 087.4
What is the result of Compass Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST +, WEST –
C =
D = 007W Compass least, error
east, compass best,
M = 309 error west.
V =
T = 314
What is the result of your Compass
Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST +, WEST –
C = 114
D = 004W Compass least, error
M= east, compass best,
error west.
V = 5E
T =
What is the result of your Compass
Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST +, WEST –
C =
D = 2.8 W Compass least, error
east, compass best,
M = 129.4 error west.
V = 5.3 E
T =
What is the result of your Compass
Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST - , WEST +
T = 090. 6 Compass least, error
V = 0.8 W east, compass best,
error west.
M=
D = 0.7 W
C =
What is the result of Compass Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST - , WEST +
T = 102.8
Compass least, error
V = east, compass best,
M = 100.7 error west.
D =
C = 103
What is the result of your Compass
Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST - , WEST +
T= Compass least, error
V = 0.5 E east, compass best,
M = 075.1 error west.
D=
C = 077
What is the result of Compass Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST - , WEST +
T = 105.8 Compass least, error
V= east, compass best,
M = 100.7 error west.
D=
C = 105
What is the result of Compass Error?
RULE:
Example:
EAST - , WEST +
T = 002
V = 005E Compass least, error
east, compass best,
M= error west.
D = 007W
C =
What is the result of your Compass
Error?
END
