Correcting Compass Error
Author: captnmike
Or how to tell what direction to point the boat or which way is home.
“Correcting” is converting a magnetic (M) direction to true (T). “Uncorrecting” is converting from true to a magnetic direction. “True” direction is relative to true north (north pole).
Variation is the failure of the compass to point to true north. Variation is read from the compass rose on the chart. Variation is the same for all boats in the same area. Variation is the same for all directions in the same area.
Deviation is the failure of the compass to point to magnetic north. Deviation is caused by local magnetic fields on the boat. These fields may be caused by the engine, instruments or other electronic equipment, power wiring, tools or any other magnetic objects. Deviation is specific to an individual boat. Deviation changes with the boats heading. Deviation is read from the Deviation Table on the boat.
↓ T ↑ True
(-) E ↓ V ↑ (-) W Variation
↓ M ↑ Magnetic
(+) W ↓ D ↑ (+) E Deviation
↓ C ↑ Compass
Tele-Vision Makes Dull Children add Wonder.
The heading must be uncorrected to provide a compass reading for the helmsman to steer.
Examples:
True 347 237 160 070 ___ ___ ___ ___
Variation 011E 014W 012W 014W 013W 011W 012E 014W
Magnetic 336 ___ ___ ___ 135 196 310 068
Deviation 005E 007E 010W 021W 012E 018E 007E 010W
Compass 331 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Examples 2:
True ___ ___ ___ ___ 062 191 274 004
Variation 011E 013W 012E 010W ___ ___ ___ ___
Magnetic ___ ___ ___ ___ 057 179 290 354
Deviation 013E 009E 004W 006E ___ ___ ___ ___
Compass 025 114 265 358 045 185 276 010
HELP HELP HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
The skipper just ask me to give them a compass course to steer and when I ask for the “Deviation Table” for the boat they said there were no dirty magazines aboard the boat and furthermore their sex life was none of my business. And besides I can’t remember any of this stuff anyway. Now what the heck do I do??
The compass reading can in this case be taken directly from the chart using the magnetic Compass Rose if several cautions are used. The Deviation for a boat can be large enough that a course can have a significant error. This error can be enough that a course laid from Alki Point to the West Point buoy can be off enough that the boat would run aground east of the West Point Light House and not pass to the west of the buoy. The course can be checked by plotting a reciprocal and using a hand bearing compass to check from where you came from as well as the direction to the desired destination. Use the chart to keep track of the position of the boat on any other land marks. Using other types of position indicators such as GPS, water depth or radar.
Extreme caution needs to be used if visibility is impaired (such as fog or rain).
Answers:
True 347 237 160 070 122 185 298 054
Variation 011E 014W 012W 014W 013W 011W 012E 014W
Magnetic 336 251 172 084 135 196 310 068
Deviation 005E 007E 010W 021W 012E 018E 007E 010W
Compass 331 244 182 105 123 178 303 078
Answers 2:
True 049 110 273 354 062 191 274 004
Variation 011E 013W 012E 010W 005E 012E 016W 010E
Magnetic 038 123 261 364 057 179 290 354
Deviation 013E 009E 004W 006E 012E 006W 014E 016W
Compass 025 114 265 358 045 185 276 010
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Tags: Correcting, Correcting and Uncorrecting a Compass, TVMDC, Uncorrecting
January 8th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Great site. Learned about it in the AUXNAV class last night.