Mon Prof Augmenté
Plotting a Sea Course
Age 16 · Geography
A navigator draws a line from the starting point to the destination, then adjusts it for wind, compass error and moving water. The final heading is the direction the boat must steer so it arrives at the planned place.
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Age 16: open this week
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In the picture
- The boat’s plotted position at the crossing of two course lines
- The straight course line running to the destination island
- The compass needle: magnetic declination, the angle between compass north and chart north
- The boat’s wake angled away from its centreline: leeway caused by wind
- The blue curved arrows: the direction and speed of a current
Examples
- A ferry captain steers slightly up-current to dock at the correct pier.
- A kayaker aims upstream to cross a river straight across.
Key takeaways
- A course line shows the intended track; the heading is what you steer after corrections.
- Wind, compass error and current can each push a boat off the planned line.
Quiz: Plotting a Sea Course (Age 16)
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According to the card, what is the difference between a course line and a heading?
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Which three things can push a boat off its planned line?
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What does magnetic declination measure?
The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.
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