You receive a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 30°21'N, LONG 88°34'W. Your position is LAT 24°30'N, LONG 83°00'W. Determine the true course and distance to the distress scene by Mercator sailing.

Question

You receive a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 30&deg;21'N, LONG 88&deg;34'W. Your position is LAT 24&deg;30'N, LONG 83&deg;00'W. Determine the true course and distance to the distress scene by Mercator sailing.

Accepted Answer

Option A: 320&deg;T, 460 miles. Mercator sailing requires calculating the difference in latitude and the difference in meridional parts between the two positions. Using these values, the course angle is found via the tangent function, and the distance is found using the secant of the course angle, resulting in 320°T and 460 miles.

You receive a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 30&deg;21'N, LONG 88&deg;34'W. Your position is LAT 24&deg;30'N, LONG 83&deg;00'W. Determine the true course and distance to the distress scene by Mercator sailing.

You receive a distress call from a vessel reporting her position as LAT 30°21'N, LONG 88°34'W. Your position is LAT 24°30'N, LONG 83°00'W. Determine the true course and distance to the distress scene by Mercator sailing.