🔍 Key Concepts

• Understand what instrument is used to record a ship’s heading over time • Know the primary purpose of a fathometer • Know what AIS (Automatic Identification System) and autopilot actually do on the bridge

💭 Think About

• Which device produces a graphic (paper or electronic) trace that shows how the vessel’s heading has changed over a period of time? • Which of these choices is mainly for depth measurement or ship-to-ship/shore information, and not for recording heading? • Which piece of equipment might control or display heading, but does not normally keep a continuous graphic record of it?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which option is specifically designed to record heading history, not just display it momentarily • Eliminate any equipment whose primary function is depth sounding or identification/position broadcasting • Confirm that the device you pick would normally be connected to the ship’s gyro or magnetic compass to log heading changes