Your vessel is on a course of 221°T at 15...

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51a5a6

Your vessel is on a course of 221°T at 15 knots. At 0319 a light bears 198.5°T, and at 0353 the light bears 176°T. At what time and distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

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Question 1 of 27070

Your vessel is on a course of 221°T at 15 knots. At 0319 a light bears 198.5°T, and at 0353 the light bears 176°T. At what time and distance off will your vessel be when abeam of the light?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Relative motion along your track when passing a fixed object abeam • Using time between bearing changes to find distance run and position relative to the object • The condition for "abeam" (bearing relative to your ship's heading)

💭 Think About

• What does it mean geometrically when a fixed light is abeam of your vessel in terms of its true bearing versus your ships true course? • How far do you travel between the two observed bearings, and how can that help you locate the light relative to your track? • Can you treat the light as a point and construct a right triangle using your course line and the lines of bearing?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the definition of abeam in terms of relative bearing from your ship (i.e., how many degrees off the bow)** • Convert your speed to distance run per minute and double-check your time intervals in minutes • Sketch the situation: plot your track, then accurately plot the two bearings from the two known times and see where your abeam point falls on your track**