What does "dead reckoning" refer to in navigation?

Dead reckoning refers specifically to a navigation method used to estimate a vessel's current position based on its last known position, combined with course and speed calculations over time. This approach relies on keeping track of the direction and distance traveled from the last established position, factoring in wind, current, and other environmental influences that may have affected the vessel's movement.

This method allows navigators to work out their location without the need for celestial observations or external references, making it particularly valuable in situations where such information is unavailable or difficult to obtain. While techniques like predicting weather patterns and real-time vessel tracking are essential in various aspects of navigation, they do not define dead reckoning. Similarly, assessing navigational errors relates to the process of correcting the position or course but is separate from the initial estimate provided by dead reckoning.