Steering Compass

The compass positioned so that the person steering can maintain and alter the vessel’s heading.

It is normally mounted where its heading can be read readily from the helm and where vibration, movement and magnetic interference can be controlled. The compass may be magnetic or form part of an electronic heading system, depending on the vessel.

A magnetic steering compass must be checked for deviation and compared periodically with an independent reference. Nearby electrical equipment, speakers, tools and structural changes can alter its error, and the helmsman must know whether an ordered course is expressed in magnetic, compass or true terms.