How should a look-out, in the merchant...

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519b21

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519b21

How should a look-out, in the merchant service, report sightings?

Question 1 of 27070

How should a look-out, in the merchant service, report sightings?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Relative vs true vs gyro vs magnetic bearings and how they are measured from the ship • What information a bridge team needs FIRST from a look-out to quickly locate a target • Standard reporting practice for ordinary seaman look-outs on merchant ships

💭 Think About

• From the look-out’s position, what is the simplest, fastest way to tell the Officer of the Watch where to look? • Which type of bearing requires the least calculation or conversion by the look-out before reporting? • Which type of bearing is independent of compass error, gyro error, or variation/deviation, and only depends on the ship’s heading?.

✅ Before You Answer

• Clarify the difference between relative bearing (measured from the ship’s bow) and true/gyro/magnetic bearings (measured from north) • Think about standard look-out phrases like "contact bearing ___, range ___" and what reference they usually use • Ask: Which system would a new deckhand realistically be trained to use first when calling out targets in reduced visibility or traffic?

Question 1 of 27070

How should a look-out, in the merchant service, report sightings?

Gyro bearings

True bearings

Relative bearings

Magnetic bearings

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