Shipboard Compasses

Learning Objectives:
Comprehend the differences between true, magnetic, gyrocompass, and relative direction reference systems, and apply proper procedures to make conversions from one system to any other.

Shipboard Compasses
Learning Objectives:
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 affect the magnetic compass.

Shipboard Compasses
Learning Objectives:
Apply proper procedures in converting from true direction to compass direction and vice versa. Apply correct procedures to determine variation using navigation charts.

Direction
There are three references used in the measurement of direction:
Relative Bearing (oR): ships longitudinal axis. Magnetic Bearing (oM): the magnetic north pole. True Bearing (oT): the geographic (true) north pole.

Ships Head
Ships head or heading is the direction in which the ships bow is pointing, and it can be expressed with reference to either geographic (true) north or magnetic north; in the relative bearing system, the ships head is always 000 oR.

The Magnetic Compass

Fitted on most vessels; smaller coastal vessels may not have a gyrocompass and will use the magnetic compass as the primary reference for direction and course. On navy vessels, the magnetic compass acts as a backup to the gyrocompass.

The Magnetic Compass

Simple Self-Contained No electrical power required Requires little or no maintenance Not easily damaged

The Magnetic Compass

One magnetic compass is installed on navy warships, usually in the pilothouse at the ships control console.

The Magnetic Compass

Basic Operation: a circular card, with attached magnets, floats in a bowl of liquid. The entire assembly is gimbaled to maintain the compass horizontal as the ship pitches and rolls. The magnets tend to align themselves with the earths magnetic lines of force, and can thus be used to find magnetic north and determine direction.

Magnetic Compass Errors

If these magnetic lines of force coincided with the earths meridians, a magnetic compass would always seek true north and would thus display true direction. Magnetic compasses rarely read true north, because of to two errors:
variation deviation

Variation
Variation: the angle between a magnetic line of force and a geographic (true) meridian at any location on the earth. Variation exists because the earths magnetic and geographic poles are not in the same location. Magnetic anomalies in the earths crust also contribute to variation.

Variation
Variation is expressed in degrees east or west; if the magnetic meridian is west of the corresponding true meridian, variation is west, and vice versa. Variation changes as we move about the earths surface.

Variation
Variation also changes from year to year as the earths magnetic poles tend to wander. Variation is printed inside compass roses on all navigation charts. Always use the compass rose nearest your current DR position.

Variation
Since variation changes annually, we must also account for this in calculating the correct value of variation. An example should help.

Variation Example
Variation given on the chart is 14o 15 W (1992) with an annual increase of 6. Nine years (1992 to 2001) yields a total change of 9 x 6 = 54 Now our variation is
14o 15 + 54 = 15o 09

Variation Example
Variation is normally rounded to the nearest half degree, so our variation is 15.0o W.

Deviation
Deviation: the angle between the magnetic meridian and the north line on the compass card. Deviation is caused by the interaction of the ships metallic structure and electrical systems with the earths magnetic field.

Deviation
Varies with ships head. Can change as large metal objects are moved about the ship. Semi-permanent magnetism can be induced in the ships hull by long periods pierside (such as during overhaul). Degaussing system also affects deviation.

Deviation
Deviation can be compensated for but never eliminated. A compass table is used, which provides the value of deviation for every 15 degrees of ships head. Entering argument for the table is oM and degaussing on or off (DG ON/DG OFF)

Deviation
The data on the table is determined using a process called swing ship. As the name implies, the ship is swung through 360 degrees in 15 degree increments, and the deviation determined at each point.

Compass Conversions
Once variation and deviation are known, conversion between true and compass bearings can be accomplished. The method for this will be illustrated with some examplesfor all, use the following mnemonic: Can Dead Men Vote Twice at Elections C D M V T (+E)
magnetic compass course deviation magnetic heading variation true course add easterly

The Gyrocompass
A north-seeking gyroscope; reads deg True. The gyro spins at a very high velocity, and its spin axis remains aligned with terrestrial meridians. The gyro has three axes:
spin axis torque axis precession axis

The Gyrocompass
The tangential velocity at the earths surface (due to the earths rotation) interacts with the precession and torque axes of the gyro, and they tend to keep the spin axis aligned with the terrestrial meridian

The Gyrocompass
The earths tangential velocity is a maximum at the equator, and zero at the poles. Gyrocompass accuracy becomes doubtful above about 70o latitude, and most become useless above about 85o.

The Gyrocompass
The gyrocompass itself is usually located well down inside the interior of the ship. It is connected to gyrocompass repeaters throughout the ship. Most navy ships have two gyrocompasses, with separate and redundant power supplies.

Gyrocompass Advantages
Seeks geographic (true) north instead of magnetic north. Can be used near the earths magnetic poles, where magnetic compass is useless. Unaffected by surrounding material. Signal can be fed to other systems (INS, fire control, automatic steering)

Gyrocompass Disadvantages
Intricate electronic instrument. Requires a constant source of electrical power and is sensitive to power fluctuations. Requires periodic maintenance by qualified technicians.

Gyrocompass Error
Although the gyrocompass is a very accurate instrument, it normally has a small error associated with its readings. (normally less than 1o) Like the magnetic compass, this gyro error is expressed as degrees east or west.

Gyrocompass Error
To remember how to use the gyro error, two memory aids are commonly used:

1) Gyro is best, error is west. Gyro is least, error is east. 2) Gyro + East = True (G.E.T.)

Determining Gyro Error

Celestial Methods (to be discussed later) Observing a range. Observing bearing to an object while at a known location. Heading while pierside Trial and error adjustment of three or more simultaneous LOPs. Compare to gyrocompass of known error.