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Lesson 9: Shipboard
Compasses
Learning Objectives:
Comprehend the basic principles of
operation of the gyrocompass and its
advantages and disadvantages.
Apply correct procedures in
determining and correcting for
gyrocompass and magnetic error.
Comprehend the differences between
true, magnetic, gyrocompass, and
relative direction reference systems,
and apply proper procedures to make
direction conversions from any one
system to any other.
Comprehend the basic principles of
operation of the magnetic compass
and its advantages and disadvantages.
Comprehend the reasons for variation
and deviation and how these might
affect the magnetic compass.
Apply proper procedures in
converting from true direction to
compass direction and vice versa.
Apply correct procedures to determine
variation using navigation charts.
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Onboard ship, there are three principal references for
direction: the ships longitudinal axis, the magnetic
meridian, and the true or geographic meridian.
Bearing: The horizontal direction of one terrestrial
point from another, expressed as an angle from
000
0
clockwise to 360
0
.
Relative bearings (abbreviated with an R
following the bearing): Bearings measured
with reference to the ships longitudinal axis.
Magnetic bearings (abbreviated with an M
following the bearing): Bearings measured
with respect to magnetic north. They are
measured with a magnetic compass.
True bearings (abbreviated with a T following
the bearing): Bearings that are measured with
respect to true or geographic north. They are
measured with a gyrocompass of known error.
Ships head, or heading: A special bearing
denoting the direction in which the ship is
pointing. It can be be expressed with reference to
magnetic or true north.
True bearings are only plotted on chart. Magnetic
or Relative bearings must be converted to True in
order to plot on chart.
Shipboard Compasses
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Navigational
Compasses
Used to obtain precise information on
headings and directions
Two types:
Gyrocompass
Used the most onboard ship
Provides you with true bearings
Magnetic compass
Used as a backup because it requires
no electricity to operate
Primary means of checking
gyrocompass
Found on every oceangoing vessel
used by smaller vessels as primary
reference for direction
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Magnetism
Magnetism - Physical force between two
objects of metal
Magnet metallic element that has the
property for attracting iron and producing
a magnetic field (lines of force) around
itself
Lines of force are magnetic meridians
Earth has magnetic properties and can be
thought of as having a powerful magnet
near its center
Internal magnet is not aligned with
Earths axis
Earths magnetic poles are at different
locations as Earths geographic poles
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Magnetic North
Pole
True North
Pole
Notice that
the two poles
arent
together. The
magnetic
compass
point to the
magnetic
pole, and this
difference
from true
North gives
us VARIAT
Variation
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Law of Magnetism
Every magnet has two poles
Each pole has opposite characteristics

OPPOSITES ATTRACT; LIKES REPEL

North pole attracts a south pole but it
repels another north pole
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Variation
Variation for any area on earth is always
equal to the angular difference between
the value of true north and magnetic
north
Expressed in either degrees East or West
to indicate on which side of the
geographic meridian the magnetic
meridian lies
True North
Magnetic
North
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Variation
Caused primarily by the fact that the earths magnetic
and geographic poles do not coincide
Compass align with magnetic lines of force flowing
from north and south magnetic pole
Also caused by the magnetic abnormalities in earths
crust
Some locations have similar values of variation as at
other locations
Isogonic lines line along which measured
variation is the same
Example: isogonic line chart
Magnetic field of earth does not remain constant =
continually changing in both direction and intensity
Magnetic poles wander slightly over the earths
surface from year to year
Variation changes slightly from year to year
Determine the value of variation at any given position
by referring to compass rose in area on chart where
you are located
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How to determine Local
Variation
Locate the compass rose nearest to the
area in which the ship is operating
Locate the variation and annual
increase/decrease from the center
Locate the year from the center of the
compass rose
Subtract the year indicated from
current year
Multiply the number of years times the
annual change (sum)
Add the sum(or subtract if decreasing)
to the variation in the center of the
compass rose
Round the total off to the closest
degree
Example
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Magnetic Compass
CNO requires that each self-propelled ship
and service craft of the USN be equipped
with one or more magnetic compasses
suitable for navigation
Exception of nuclear-powered
submarines, all ships and craft must
have a magnetic compass at the primary
steering station
Many ships have more than one
magnetic compass
Primary magnetic compass is called the
steering compass
Normally located on the centerline in
the ships pilothouse where it can be
best seen by the helmsman
Readings from the steering compass
are labeled per steering compass
(PSTGC)
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Standard and Steering
Compasses
Secondary magnetic compass is
called the standard compass
Normally located on the centerline
at the secondary conning station
Readings from the standard
compass are labeled per standard
compass (PSC)
Newer U.S. Navy ships will typically
have one steering compass due to
fact that ships are being outfitted
with two redundant gyrocompass
systems
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Magnetic Compass
Cautions
Magnetic compass cannot be expected to
give reliable service unless it is properly
installed and protected from disturbing
magnetic influences
Precautions to observe in vicinity of
magnetic compass
Compass should not be placed near iron
or steel equipment that will be moved
frequently
Immediate vicinity should be kept free
of sources of magnetism, particularly
those of changing nature
No source of magnetism should be
permitted within a radius of several feet
of magnetic compass
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Magnetic Compass
Operation
Small bar magnet freely suspended in the
magnetic field of earth will always align
itself parallel to the lines of force of that
field, establishing direction
U.S. Navy standard No. 1, 7-inch magnetic
compass
Components:
Circular card graduated in degrees from
0 to 359
Bowl of compass fluid that supports the
floating card
Bar magnets correct and align compass
card
Gimbals act as pivots that rest in metal
ring, allowing compass to remain level
despite motion of ship
Binnacle is housing/stand for compass
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Magnetic Compass
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages:
Backup in case of gyro failure
Simple, self-contained mechanism
Operates independent of electrical
power supply
Requires little or no maintenance
Not easily damaged
Disadvantages:
Seeks magnetic meridian instead of true
meridian
Cannot be used near earths magnetic
poles
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Magnetic Compass
Error
Before using magnetic compass
onboard ship, must first correct for the
magnetic influences that make the
compass deviate from geographic north
Variation
Deviation
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Deviation
Deviation is defined as the amount that
the compass is deflected from the
magnetic meridian because of the effects
of the ships iron
Expressed in degrees East or West
Caused by the interaction of the ships
metal structure and electrical currents
with the earths magnetic lines for force
and compass magnets
Permanent magnetism created in
the ships structure during the
building process
Gains its own unique magnetic
field based on the angle that the
keel is laid
Induced magnetism varies
according to the intensity of the
component of Earths field
Amount of deviation varies as the ship
changes course and with equipment
alterations
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Shipboard Degaussing
System
Also has an effect on deviation
Degaussing system - electrical installation
designed to protect ships against magnetic
mines and torpedoes
When a ship is close to a magnetic mine
or torpedo, the magnetic field of the
ship actuates the firing mechanism
Purpose counteract the ships magnetic
field and establish a condition such that
the magnetic field near the ship is, as
nearly as possible, just the same as if the
ship were not there
Degaussing installation consists of
permanently installed degaussing coils
wrapped around ship on underside of hull,
control unit to control the coil current, and
compass compensating equipment to
prevent disturbances to mag compasses
Coil is a large diameter electrical wire
A, F, L, M, Q Coils

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Deviation
Ships magnetic effects may be
corrected by the proper placement of
various correctors
Process for correcting deviation error is
called swinging ship
Swing the ship through 360 degrees,
stopping each 15 degrees and
comparing the compass heading to
the properly functioning
gyrocompass
Results are recorded on magnetic
compass deviation table
Deviation Tables provide a means
for knowing the deviation of the
magnetic compass for any heading
Information is crucial if the
gyrocompass fails
Updated annually and posted
on/near magnetic compass


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Sample Deviation
Table
Top portion: name of ship, location of
compass, binnacle type, and compass
type
Middle section: ships heading every 15
degrees and deviation data
DG OFF degaussing off
DG ON degaussing on
Bottom portion: information on magnet
and bar placement that corrects for
excessive deviations

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Deviation Tables
Example: Your ship is on course 090
degrees true and the OOD now
wishes to make good course 117
degrees (magnetic course) by
magnetic compass
Determine if DG ON or OFF
Locate the course nearest to your
desired course on the deviation
table
Nearest course is 120
Read the deviation
2.0 W
Apply the deviation correction to
the ordered course
Westerly deviation means
compass reads less than it
should = add WEST or
subtract EAST

117 degrees
2 degrees W
119 degrees

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Compass Error
Calculations
Three lines of reference have been
established:
True heading - direction of true north
Magnetic heading - direction of
magnetic north
Compass heading - direction of north
point of compass

Ships head
True
North
Mag
North
Compass
North
Variation
Deviation
Compass Error
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Converting from
Compass to True
When converting from steering compass heading to
true heading, navigator must take into account
variation and deviation
Sequence of conversion:
Apply deviation to steering compass heading to
obtain magnetic heading
Apply variation to the magnetic heading to
produce the desired true heading
Westerly errors subtracted and easterly errors
added
The following memory aid is used to help
remember the steps in converting steering
compass heading to true heading:
Can Dead Men Vote Twice At Elections
Compass Deviation Magnetic Variation True +East
head head head
The most challenging calculation is determining
the correct deviation to apply.
Standard deviation is based on ships head
magnetic. Due to this fact, when converting
from compass heading to true heading, it is
necessary to interpolate twice if the ships
head lies between two magnetic headings
listed on the deviation tables.


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Converting from
Compass to True
Can Dead Men Vote Twice At Elections
Compass Deviation Magnetic Variation True +East
head head head
First interpolation steering compass
heading can be considered an
approximation of the magnetic head
Second interpolation magnetic head
computed again as better approximation
than steering compass heading
Example: A ships heading is 305 p stg c.
What is the ships magnetic heading if
DEG OFF?
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Example: Ships compass head is 305
0
with
degaussing OFF.
300
0
1.0
0
W
305
0

315
0
2.5
0
W
The desired deviation is 5/15 or 1/3 of the
difference between 1.0
0
W and 2.5
0
W:
5/15 * (2.5 - 1.0)=.5; D= 1.5W
This value is subtracted from 305
0
to get a 303.5
0
M.
The first interpolation gives a good estimation of
ships head, so a second interpolation can be
performed in order to more accurately account for
deviation:
300
0
1.0
0
W
303.5
0

315
0
2.5
0
W
3.5/15 * (2.5-1.0)=.4; D=1.4
0
W
The required deviation , rounded to the nearest .5
0
,
is 1.5
0
W.
Results in ships magnetic head 305 - 1.5W =
303.5M

Shipboard Compasses
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Converting from True to Compass: It
may be necessary to convert a true
heading to a compass heading in the
event a gyrorepeater fails and a certain
desired course is to be steered.
In order to do this, corrections are
applied in a reverse order according
to sequence:
T V M D C A W
True Variation Magnetic Deviation Compass + West
head head head

*Only one interpolation is required when
converting from true to compass
Shipboard Compasses
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True to Compass
Conversion
Example: While steaming on a heading of 149
0
T
, the ships gyro tumbled. What steering
compass course should be steered to keep the
ship on the same true course?
Assume a variation of 9.0
0
E, with degaussing
OFF.
T V M D C
149
0
T 9.0
0
E 140
0
M
Calculation for deviation:
135
0
1.5
0
W
140
0

150
0
0.5
0
W
5/15 * -1.0 = -.33, rounded to -.5, applied to 1.5 ;
D=1.0
0
W

Note: Only one interpolation is required when
converting from true to compass.
T V M D C
149
0
T 9.0
0
E 140
0
M (+) 1.0
0
W
141
0
W


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Gyrocompass
Main source for determining direction thus
indicating true north
Gyroscope rapidly spinning body having three
axes of angular freedom
Must be lit off a minimum of 4 hours prior to use
Checked for error at least once daily while ship is
underway
Proper function if error is 2 degrees or less
Powered by electricity and consists to two main
components
Master gyrocompass consists of a control
cabinet, power supply, speed unit, alarm unit,
and transmission unit that is located within the
ships hull where it is least affected by pitch and
roll
Repeaters receive signal transmitted from
master gyro for real-time data
Relative bearings on outside circle
True bearings on inside circle
Normally found at all ships control stations:
pilothouse, bridgewings, aftersteering
Additional spaces: COs cabin, CIC
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Gyrocompass
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages:
Seeks true meridian instead of magnetic
meridian
Can be used near the earths magnetic poles
Not affected by surrounding material
Signal can be fed into integrated navigation
systems and automatic steering systems
Extremely accurate, highly reliable, and easy to
use
Disadvantages:
Highly complex instrument requiring periodic
maintenance by qualified technicians
Dependent on electrical power supply
Subject to electronic and mechanical failures of
its component parts
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Gyrocompass Error
Several sources of error caused by the
transmission network but error is small
Most normally functioning gyrocompasses
will not have an error of more than 2.0
degrees East or West
Must take error into account during plot
At sea, QMs must determine gyrocompass
error at least one a day via the following
methods
Observe a natural or artificial range. A
bearing is shot to the range when lined
up, then compared to the charted
bearing. The difference is equal to the
gyro error.
If the ship is at a known location, such as
a pier or an anchorage, a gyro error can
be obtained by comparing a known
bearing to an object ashore, as measured
on a chart.
Comparing the ships heading while
pierside to the known heading of the
pier will give gyro error

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If the ship is not underway, a trial and
error adjustment of three or more
simultaneous lines of position until a point
fix results. If the lines initially meet at a
point, there is no gyro error. If they form a
triangle, they are adjusted by successive
additions or subtractions of 1
0
, then if
necessary, .5
0
to the bearings until they
meet at a point fix. The total correction
applied to any one LOP is the gyro error.
Compare the gyrocompass to another
gyrocompass of the same error.
At sea using sun as reference
Shipboard Compasses
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Compass Error
Compass Best, Error West
If the gyrocompass bearing is higher
than the actual bearing, the error is west
Compass Least, Error East
If the gyrocompass bearing is lower
than the actual bearing, the the error is
east

G.E.T. - Gyro + East = True


Gyro Gyro Error True
180 degrees ? 182 degrees
062 degrees ? 060 degrees
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Homework
Read Marine Navigation Chapter 11
on Tides
Bring Marine Navigation to class
Workbook problems Chapter 9
Section 3: 1, 2A, 2B, 7