You are steaming on a course of 133°T at 16 knots. At 2216 you observe a lighthouse bearing 086°T. At 2223 the lighthouse bears 054°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

Question

You are steaming on a course of 133&deg;T at 16 knots. At 2216 you observe a lighthouse bearing 086&deg;T. At 2223 the lighthouse bears 054&deg;T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

Accepted Answer

Option B: 2.6 miles. The distance run between bearings is 1.87 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 2.6 miles. This method is the standard approach for determining position via running fix in coastal navigation.

You are steaming on a course of 133&deg;T at 16 knots. At 2216 you observe a lighthouse bearing 086&deg;T. At 2223 the lighthouse bears 054&deg;T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

You are steaming on a course of 133°T at 16 knots. At 2216 you observe a lighthouse bearing 086°T. At 2223 the lighthouse bears 054°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?