Comprehensive Maritime Navigation Notes

Q1A. Explanations

Latitude: Angular distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees.

Longitude: Angular distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees.

Knot: A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour (1 knot is approximately 1.852 km/h).

International Nautical Mile: A unit of distance equal to 1852 meters, used in maritime and aviation.

Rhumb Line: A line crossing all meridians at the same angle, representing a constant compass

direction.

Departure: The east-west distance between two points on the same parallel of latitude.

5
-0
Meridional Parts: The length of a meridian measured in Mercator projection, used in navigation for

converting distances.
SC
B
Great Circle: The shortest path between two points on a sphere, dividing it into two equal halves.
an

Cable: A unit of nautical distance, equivalent to one-tenth of a nautical mile (approximately 185.2
uh

meters).
ha

Geographical Mile: The length of one minute of arc of latitude at the equator, approximately 1855.32
C

meters.
h il

Deviation: The error in a magnetic compass due to local magnetic fields on the vessel.
Sa

Isogonic Lines: Lines on a map connecting points of equal magnetic declination.

Leeway: The sideways movement of a vessel caused by wind or current.

DR (Dead Reckoning) Position: A calculated position based on course steered and speed, without

considering external factors like wind or current.

Transit Bearing: A bearing obtained by aligning two known landmarks or objects.

Compass Error: The difference between true north and the direction indicated by the compass.

Current: The horizontal movement of water in a specific direction.

Set: The direction in which a current flows.

Page 1
 Comprehensive Maritime Navigation Notes

Drift: The speed of the current, usually measured in knots.

Estimated Position (EP): A position derived from DR position corrected for current, wind, and other

factors.

Q2. Mercator Projection & Its Comparison with Gnomonic Chart

Mercator Projection:

- Cylindrical map projection that represents meridians as equally spaced vertical lines and parallels

as horizontal lines.

- Distortion increases near the poles.

- Common in navigation due to its ability to represent rhumb lines as straight lines.

Differences Between Mercator and Gnomonic Charts:

| Feature | Mercator Chart | Gnomonic Chart |

|--------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|

| Projection Type | Cylindrical | Azimuthal (plane surface) |

| Rhumb Lines | Straight | Curved |

| Great Circles | Curved | Straight |

| Usage | Coastal and rhumb line navigation | Planning great circle routes |

| Distortion | Minimal near the equator, severe at poles | Severe except at the center |

Q3. Properties of a Mercator Chart

- Straight Rhumb Lines: Facilitates constant compass course navigation.

- Conformal Projection: Angles and shapes are preserved, aiding accurate navigation.

- Meridians and Parallels: Represented as straight, perpendicular lines.

Page 2
 Comprehensive Maritime Navigation Notes

- Scale Variation: Increases with latitude, requiring corrections for high-latitude navigation.

Q4. Natural Scale of a Chart

The ratio between a unit of length on the chart and the corresponding unit of length on Earth's

surface, typically expressed as a fraction (e.g., 1:50,000).

Q5. Gnomonic Chart

- Description: A projection of the Earth's surface onto a plane from the center of the Earth.

- Advantages:

* Displays great circles as straight lines, useful for long-distance route planning.

* Helps visualize shortest paths.

- Disadvantages:

* Significant distortion away from the center.

* Limited usability for practical navigation.

Q6. Great Circle & Its Properties

Definition: The shortest distance between two points on a sphere, formed by the intersection of the

sphere with a plane passing through its center.

Properties:

- Divides the sphere into two equal halves.

- Always lies on a plane through the Earth's center.

- Appears curved on Mercator charts.

Q7. Composite Great Circle Sailing

Page 3
 Comprehensive Maritime Navigation Notes

Combines great circle and rhumb line sailing to avoid excessive latitude or impractical courses.

Steps:

1. Use great circle segments for shortest routes.

2. Transition to rhumb lines for easier steering.

Q8. Vertex as a Key Point in Great Circle

Explanation: The vertex is the highest latitude reached along a great circle. It serves as a critical

point for planning routes to avoid extreme conditions or high-latitude regions.

Q9. Properties of a Spherical Triangle

- Sides: Arcs of great circles.

- Angles: Sum exceeds 180° but less than 540°.

- Unique Solutions: Defined by any three parts (angles or sides).

Q10. Right-Angled Spherical Triangle

Definition: A spherical triangle with one 90° angle.

Properties:

- Two sides and an included angle determine the triangle.

- Solved using spherical trigonometry (e.g., Napier's rules).

Q11. Practical Actions for Following a Great Circle

1. Plot the great circle route on a gnomonic chart.

Page 4
 Comprehensive Maritime Navigation Notes

2. Convert to waypoints for Mercator charts.

3. Monitor the position and adjust for current and wind.

4. Use electronic navigation systems for accuracy.

Q12. Different Kinds of Sailings

- Plane Sailing: Simplest form; assumes a flat Earth.

- Parallel Sailing: Follows a parallel of latitude.

- Mercator Sailing: Utilizes Mercator projection.

- Great Circle Sailing: Shortest distance across a sphere.

- Composite Sailing: Combines great circle and rhumb line methods.

Page 5