How To Take Compass Bearings
One of the methods to fix the position of your vessel is by taking compass bearings. By having three bearings cross in or near the same location you have accurately determined your position. Taking Bearings When taking compass bearings, used fixed aids for best results. Floating aids can move around with wind or current and the charted position is the position of the mooring, not the buoy. Take the bearings off to each side, one after the other. The bearings on your beam will change quickly while the bearings ahead or astern will hardly change at all due to the boat's motion. If you take the bearings on each side first and then take the bearing either ahead or astern, you will have a more accurate fix. Also check that the bearings you take are not about 180 degrees apart. Ideally the three bearings will be spaced about 120 degrees apart for the most accurate fix. If you are using the end of an island, remember to allow for the height of the tide. With a gently sloping ...