Question 1461Navigation General

70% to pass

You are proceeding up a channel at night. It is marked by a range which bears 185°T. You steady up on a compass course of 180° with the range in line dead ahead. This indicates that you(r) _______________.

A course is in error
B are being affected by a southerly current
C compass has some easterly error
D must come right to get on the range
AI Explanation

The correct answer is C) compass has some easterly error. When navigating using a range, if the compass course required to keep the range in line dead ahead is 180°, but the actual course being steered is 185°T, this indicates that the compass has some easterly error. This means the compass is reading east of the actual magnetic heading, causing the vessel to steer a course that is to the right (or east) of the desired range line. The other options are incorrect because: A) the course is not in error, it is the compass that has an error, B) there is no evidence of a southerly current affecting the vessel, and D) coming right (steering to the right) would take the vessel further off the range, not onto it.

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Official Resources
USCG Navigation Rules (COLREGS) 33 CFR Navigation Rules USCG National Maritime Center
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