You are steaming on a course of 071°T at 19 knots. At 1907 you observe a lighthouse bearing 122°T. At 1915 the lighthouse bears 154°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

Question

You are steaming on a course of 071&deg;T at 19 knots. At 1907 you observe a lighthouse bearing 122&deg;T. At 1915 the lighthouse bears 154&deg;T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

Accepted Answer

Option B: 3.7 miles. The distance run between bearings is 2.53 miles. Applying the sine rule for the triangle formed by the vessel's track and the light, the distance off at the second bearing is 3.7 miles. This calculation follows the standard piloting procedures outlined in Bowditch for running fixes.

You are steaming on a course of 071&deg;T at 19 knots. At 1907 you observe a lighthouse bearing 122&deg;T. At 1915 the lighthouse bears 154&deg;T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

You are steaming on a course of 071°T at 19 knots. At 1907 you observe a lighthouse bearing 122°T. At 1915 the lighthouse bears 154°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?