A vessel steams 720 miles on course 058°T from LAT 30°06.0'S, LONG 31°42.0'E. What are the latitude and longitude of the point of arrival by mid-latitude sailing?
• Mid-latitude sailing formula for difference of longitude using course, distance, and mean latitude • Relationship between course, meridional parts, and difference of latitude/longitude on a Mercator-type problem • How to convert between minutes of arc, degrees, and nautical miles in latitude
• First, from the given course and distance, what is the north-south (difference of latitude) and east-west (departure) component of the track? • Once you find the final latitude, what is the mean latitude, and how is it used in the mid-latitude sailing formula for difference of longitude? • After computing the new longitude, does it make sense that longitude increases or decreases based on the vessel’s direction of travel?
• Confirm the difference of latitude is consistent with the course’s angle from north (058°T) and the total distance steamed • Use the correct mean latitude (average of initial and final latitude) when applying the mid-latitude sailing relationship for difference of longitude • Ensure your final latitude and longitude are in the correct hemispheres (N/S, E/W) and that the numerical values move in the expected direction from the starting point
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