Magnetic Compass

What are the maintenance checks on the magnetic compass?

 As per the Planned Maintenance System e.g.
 Out-with watch, good weather, isolate RADAR equip
 Take off the canvas cover and clean it with cloth
 Check the compass card moves freely
 Check the liquid is clear and no discoloration
 There is no smell – indication of leak
 There is no liquid leaking
 Check the compass card can be read clearly
 Check the corrector magnets and compare positions with deviation card
 Check lights (normal and emergency)
 Check the bolts are solid and intact

The magnetic compass is giving readings way off what they should be. As Master what
are your actions?
 Investigate possible causes e.g. check gimbal moving freely, is compass card
moving, any interference from metal, magnets fallen out
 Compass needs replaced – do we have a spare
 If no spare then need pilot to help us get to a port, possible assistance by following a
tug boat
 Investigate possibility of getting a qualified compass adjuster out to the vessel
 Inform company and log everything in deck log book and OLB

The gyro compass has failed but you have worked out where you are. What are your
actions and how do you know which course to steer?
 Switch to second gyro (if fitted)
 Switch to manual steering
 Notify Engineer On Watch
 Switch on both steering motors
 RADAR will be on heads up mode
 Record details into deck log book
 Notify DPA
 Course to steer calculated by magnetic compass by taking into account the deviation
last calculated (or from deviation card) and the variation from the chart

When should the magnetic compass should be swung?

 After periods of lay up
 When a new compass is installed
 When deviation exceeds 5 degrees on any heading
 After trauma, such as lightning strike, grounding, fire, etc
 When compass performance is unsatisfactory or unreliable
 When a record of compass deviation has not been maintained
 After alterations & additions to vessel's structure & equipment
 After repairs involving welding, cutting, grinding, etc which may affect the compass
 When electrical or magnetic equipment close to the compass is added, removed or
altered
 When compass deviation does not appear to correspond with that shown on
deviation card
 When the validity period of the deviation card set by the national or state marine
authority is due to expire

What size of vessel is required to have a visual arrangement for sighting the compass
reading from the emergency steering position?
 Ships of 500 GRT and over, built after 1st February 1992.

What are the types of correctors found on a magnetic compass?

 Flinders Bar – Vertical Soft Iron corrector – the ‘pole’ of the bar should be level with
the compass needle arrangement and forward of the compass
 Kelvin Spheres or Quadrantal Correctors - Horizontal soft iron correctors
 Correctol magnets – fore and aft horizontal – hard iron permanent correctors –
athwartship horizontal
 Heeling error bucket/chain & permanent vertical correctors
 Magnetic Compass

A ship has been laid up for 3 years. What checks would you make on the compass?
 Inspect the compass and binnacle housing for general condition
 The compass would have to be swung by a qualified compass adjuster
 To do so the ship must be in an upright position with all derricks, cranes, lifeboats,
etc. in the stowed (seagoing) position
 The azimuth mirror would be checked for accuracy
 The correct alignment of the lubber line would be ascertained
 Soft iron correctors checked for retained magnetism

What paint type should never be used near a magnetic compass?

 Any lead based paint due to the possible influence it may have on the magnetic effect

How would you find the value of the magnetic bearing of a chosen target?
 Take the bearing of the fixed object when the ship is on each of the cardinal and inter
cardinal headings (8 bearings in total)
 Add the values together and divide by 8

What certification covers the magnetic compass?

 The Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
 A Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate will not be issued unless the vessel is
equipped with a type tested compass

What conditions are required to swing the compass?

 The vessel should be in an upright condition
 All derricks, cranes, lifeboats, gangways, etc. stowed in the seagoing position
 The area around the binnacle should be clear of debris and any nearby electrical
equipment operating normally due to possible effect of magnetic field
 Deck bolts should be sighted and the compass confirmed to be firm in position
 Weather conditions should be good
 No magnetic anomalies present in the area (consult chart to confirm)
 Overall condition of the compass checked. Gimble moving freely and any air bubbles
eliminated.
 Needle pivot checked by using a magnet to induce a movement and observe this
returning to the heading following removal.
 The soft iron correctors inspected for retained magnetism and then returned correctly
to their location as per the order of correction.

When completing a compass swing, how far from the fixed target should the vessel
be?
 A minimum of 15nm to reduce bearing parallax to a minimum

Where would you find information on compass standards and required checks and
inspections?
 SOLAS V annex 13

What is coefficient B, and how is it corrected?

 The hard iron fore and aft component of the ships permanent magnetism (Force P)
 Maximum deviation will be experienced on E/W courses
 Corrected by the Flinders Bar and the application of soft iron fore and aft magnets (C
rods)

What is coefficient C, and how is it corrected?

 The hard iron athwartship component of the ships permanent magnetism (Force Q)
 Maximum deviation will be experienced on N/S courses
 Corrected by the application of soft iron athwartship magnets (F rods)

What is coefficient D, and how is it corrected?

 The hard iron vertical component of the ships permanent magnetism (Force R)
 Maximum deviation will be experienced at the inter cardinals, minimum at the
cardinals
 Corrected by the application of soft iron spheres (Kelvin Balls) athwart of the
compass