On 11 October at 0516 ZT, morning stars were observed, and the vessel's position was determined to be LAT 23°21.0'N, LONG 139°27.0'W. Your vessel is steaming at 14.0 knots on a course of 293°T. A sextant observation of the Sun's lower limb is made at 0927 ZT. The chronometer reads 06h 30m 21s, and the sextant altitude (hs) is 39°48.7'. The index error is 2.0' on the arc, and the chronometer error is 02m 56s fast. Your height of eye on the bridge is 63.0 feet. What is the azimuth (Zn) of this sight using the assumed position?
Official USCG Answer & Rule Citation
Correct Answer: Option D — 123.4°T
Determine the Greenwich Mean Time by applying chronometer error to the reading. Use the Nautical Almanac to find GHA and Declination. With the assumed position, calculate the Local Hour Angle. Applying the Sight Reduction Tables (Pub. 229) for the given latitude and LHA results in an azimuth of 123.4°T.
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