Coast Guard Exams
Question 61Navigation General70% to pass

The heading of a vessel is indicated by what part of the compass?

AI Explanation
The correct answer is B) Lubber's line. The lubber's line is a fixed mark on the compass housing that indicates the heading of the vessel. As the compass card rotates, the lubber's line shows the direction the vessel is pointed. This is the standard way to read a compass and determine the heading of a ship. The other options are incorrect because: A) Gimbals are the mechanism that allows the compass to remain level, not indicate the heading; C) The compass needle points to magnetic north, not the vessel's heading; and D) The compass card shows the 360 degrees of the compass, but the lubber's line specifically indicates the vessel's heading.

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