Heading

The horizontal direction in which a vessel’s fore-and-aft line is pointing.

Heading is expressed as an angle clockwise from a stated north reference, normally true, magnetic or compass north. It may be read from a compass or heading sensor and can vary continuously as the vessel yaws.

Heading is not the same as course over the ground, which is the direction of actual movement across Earth. Leeway, current and manoeuvring can produce a substantial difference between them.