You are steaming on a course of 198°T at 18.5 knots. At 0316 you observe a lighthouse bearing 235°T. At 0348 the lighthouse bears 259°T. What is your distance off at the second bearing?

Correct Answer: Option B — 14.8 miles

Applying Bowditch special geometric plotting methods for running fixes, the distance off at the second bearing is determined using the time interval, vessel speed, and changes in relative bearings. Trigonometric solution of the resulting triangle yields a distance off of 14.8 miles.