Your vessel is proceeding up a channel steering on a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 249°T, and the variation is 14°E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 226° per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

Question

Your vessel is proceeding up a channel steering on a pair of range lights that are in line ahead. The chart indicates that the direction of this pair of lights is 249&deg;T, and the variation is 14&deg;E. If the heading of your vessel at the time of the sighting is 226&deg; per standard magnetic compass, what is the correct deviation?

Accepted Answer

Option C: 9&deg;E. The range lights provide a true bearing of 249°T. With a variation of 14°E, the magnetic bearing is 235°M (249°T - 14°E). Comparing the magnetic bearing of 235°M to the compass bearing of 226°psc results in a deviation of 9°E, as compass best, deviation is west.