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.

Correct Answer: Option A — 320°T, 460 miles

Mercator sailing utilizes the difference in latitude and departure to calculate the course angle and distance. By determining the meridional parts for both latitudes and the difference in longitude, the formula tan(Course) = DLo / dM yields the true course, while distance is derived from the difference in latitude divided by the cosine of the course.