Compass error using terrestrial observations

LEGEND:

T/N – true north T/H – true heading

M/N – magnetic north M/H – magnetic heading

C/N – compass north C/H -- compass heading

V – variation

D – deviation

TRUE
NORTH

COMPASS COMPASS
NORTH NORTH

Error west

Error east

Rules for applying Variation and Deviation. To avoid drawing diagrams every time variation and
deviation are applied, a number of memory aids have been developed to clarify the rules of application:
Television Makes Dull Company (T V M D C) reminds us that to true we must apply the variation to find
magnetic, and to this we apply deviation to arrive at compass (course or bearing). If we start with a
compass bearing and wish to convert it to true so that it can be used on the chart the order of operation
is reversed (C D M V T).
Having decided the correct order in which to apply variation and deviation, we need to know whether
the correction should be added or subtracted. This may be decided using the word: CADET

This simply indicates that to get from compass to true (the end points) we Add East. Given that we add
east (deviation or variation) it follows that we must subtract west (deviation or variation). It also follows
that if we add east to get from compass to true, we should add west when going from true to compass.
A simple layout for applying these rules is shown on the next page.

UNCORRECTING A COMPASS

Converting true heading to compass heading

TRUE Variation and deviation E SUBTRACT

VIRGIN Variation and deviation W ADD
MAKES
DULL
COMPANION

Example: 1

TRUE 220° T
COURSE
VARIATION 11° E
MAGNETIC 209° (M)
COURSE
DEVIATION 5.5° W
COMPASS 214.5° (C)
COURSE

Example: 2

True heading 095°

Variation 10° E
Magnetic heading 085°
Deviation 5˚ W
Compass heading 090°
Example; 3 The ship is on course 100 degrees True, deviation of the ships head is 3 degrees east and
variation of the locality 12 degrees east. Find the compass course.

True / course = 110°

Variation = 12° E
Magnetic/course = 098°
Deviation = 3° E
Compass/ course = 095°

LEARNING ACTIVITY: 1

Solve the unknown data on the graph.

True Variation Magnetic Deviation Compass

1 114 4W 5E
2 314 309 306
3 050 6E 044
4 253 2E 2W
5 156 148 5E
6 358 9W 010
7 004 358 4W
8 045 6W 3E

CORRECTING A COMPASS
Converting compass heading to true heading

CAN Variation and deviation E ADD

DEAD Variation and deviation W SUBTRACT
MAN
VOTE
TWICE

Example: 1

A vessel is steering 085° by compass. The deviation for the ship’s head is 5° E, Variation is
12° W. find the true course.

Solution:

compass course = 085°

deviation = 5° E
magnetic compass = 090° °
variation = 12° W
true course = 078°

Example: 2

A vessel is steering 216 deg. by compass. The deviation for the ship’s head is 3 E, Variation is 8 E.
find the true course.

Solution:

compass course = 216°

deviation = 3° E
magnetic compass = 219°
variation = 8° E
true course = 227°