A vessel at LAT 29°38.0'N, LONG 93°49.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24°38.0'N, LONG 82°55.2'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

Question

A vessel at LAT 29&deg;38.0'N, LONG 93&deg;49.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24&deg;38.0'N, LONG 82&deg;55.2'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

Accepted Answer

Option A: 117&deg;T, 658 miles. Mercator sailing formulas determine the rhumb line track between two points. By calculating the difference in latitude, meridional parts, and longitude, the course is derived via tan(C) = DLo / DMP. The resulting 117°T and 658 miles match the standard navigational solution for these coordinates per Bowditch.

A vessel at LAT 29&deg;38.0'N, LONG 93&deg;49.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24&deg;38.0'N, LONG 82&deg;55.2'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.

A vessel at LAT 29°38.0'N, LONG 93°49.0'W, heads for a destination at LAT 24°38.0'N, LONG 82°55.2'W. Determine the true course and distance by Mercator sailing.