While on a course of 159°T, a light bears...

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51946a

While on a course of 159°T, a light bears 11° on the starboard bow at a distance of 10.6 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard?

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Question 1 of 27070

While on a course of 159°T, a light bears 11° on the starboard bow at a distance of 10.6 miles. What course should you steer to pass 2 miles abeam of the light leaving it to starboard?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Relative bearing vs. true bearing and how to convert between them • Using the distance off at closest point of approach (2 miles abeam) to form a right triangle with present position and the light • Basic trigonometry on a right triangle to find the required new course over ground

💭 Think About

• First convert the 11° on the starboard bow into a true bearing of the light from your vessel. How do you combine heading and relative bearing? • Sketch your current position, the light, and the desired track that passes 2 miles abeam. Where on that sketch is the 2-mile abeam point located relative to the light? • If you know your present distance from the light (10.6 miles) and the desired closest distance (2 miles), what triangle can you form, and which angle in that triangle corresponds to the course you must steer?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on whether you are working with true bearings (from north) or relative bearings (from the bow) at each step • Confirm that your drawing shows the light remaining on your starboard side at the closest point of approach, not port • After computing the course, check which of the choices keeps the light at least 2 miles off and on the correct side given your geometry