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Finding Your
Position Using Triangulation
Take two compass reading from your vessel to known
positions on land.
This is best accomplished by using a hand held
compass Write down the heading toward your landmark.
Note this is a magnetic number and will have to be
converted to true number before we can transfer onto
our chart.
We must find the reciprocal course from the landmark
to your vessel. For example, if the course to the
object is 30 degrees, add 180 and we get a
reciprocal course of 210 degrees. If the course to
the mark is 210 degrees we would subtract 180 and
get a reciprocal course of 30.
Before we can draw our reciprocal course we need to
convert the magnetic course to a true course. Once
again we need our magnetic variation. However in
this case if we added the number before, we now have
to subtract to convert from magnetic to true.
Remember – All Lines on a Chart must be True
Numbers.
Place the center of the Charting Pal on the object
we have been sighting on. Then using a straight edge
find the true number on the outer ring of the
Charting Pal. Mark the point on your chart. Now,
draw a line from the object on land to the point on
your chart.
Repeat the procedure for the second point you have
observed. After you have drawn your second line you
will observe that the lines have intersected. Where
the two lines intersected is your exact location.
This position is called a Fix. It is noted on your
chart like this.
It is now a simple matter to draw a course line from
your known position to your destination.
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