You are using a radar in which your own ship is shown at the center, and the heading flash always points to 0°. If bearings are measured in relation to the flash, what type of bearings are produced?

Prepare for the Electronic Navigation Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

When a radar display positions your own ship at the center and the heading indicator (or flash) points to 0°, the bearings measured in relation to this reference point are termed relative bearings.

Relative bearings represent the angle between the heading of your vessel (in this case, indicated by the flash at 0°) and the direction of another object or target on the radar. This means that if a target is directly to your left, it would be indicated as a bearing of 90° relative to the heading. Since these bearings are dependent on your vessel's current orientation, they provide a direct indication of the position of other vessels or objects in relation to where your ship is currently pointed.

In contrast, compass bearings refer to angles relative to magnetic north, while true bearings relate to true north. Magnetic bearings use the magnetic compass as a reference, which can change with geographical variations and local magnetic influences. Thus, it's clear here that the bearings are indeed relative, based on the ship's orientation as shown directly on the radar display.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy