Bearing

Bearing is the direction of an object or point relative to a fixed reference point, measured in degrees clockwise from true north. Bearings are used for navigation to determine the direction in which a vessel or object is located in relation to the observer’s position. Bearings are crucial for plotting courses, avoiding collisions, and navigating safely on the water.

Bearings and courses are given in a 3-figure notation, i.e. 090°. When using a bearing on a magnetic compass, variation and deviation may need to be considered to ensure the bearing lines up with the required true bearing for use on charts.