LO1,2&4

SAILING CALCULATIONS

© City of Glasgow College

Charity Number SC0 36198
 Latitude
• Parallels of latitude
Small circles parallel to equator N or S.
“Angle at centre of sphere, between point and Equator.”
 Difference Of Latitude
• Angle at centre of Earth measured along a meridian
passing through both parallels of latitude.
• ‘N’ if moving northerly (not related to hemisphere).

• Same names: subtract

Opposite names: add
 Example 2

Find the D’Lat for a vessel travelling from;

35° 16.5'N
Latitude 35° 16.5'N to latitude 38° 14.7‘S.
38° 14.7‘S

Solution:
Departure Latitude: 35° 16.5'N
Arrival Latitude: 38° 14.7‘S
D’Lat: 73° 31.2’S
Note that the vessel is travelling in a Southerly direction.
 Example 3
Find the final latitude for a vessel starting from
35° 16.5'N with a D’lat of 73° 31.2’S.
Note that the vessel is travelling South. 35° 16.5'N

The rule given regarding differing names is now 73° 31.2’S

reversed 38° 14.7‘S

Solution:
Departure Latitude: 35° 16.5'N
D’Lat: - 73° 31.2’S
Arrival Latitude: 38° 14.7‘S
Note that the vessel has crossed the equator and is
now in the Southern hemisphere.
 Longitude
• Minor angle, subtended at centre of sphere, between
plane of meridian through point and Greenwich
meridian Greenwich (0).

• East or west from Greenwich 0~180.

• “Minor angle at pole or smaller arc at Equator,

between prime meridian & meridian passing
through considered point”.
 Difference of Longitude ( D’Long)
• Angle subtended at centre of Earth, between two
meridians on which points lie on, measured along smaller
arc of Equator passing through both meridians and minor
angle at pole.

• ‘E’ if moving easterly (not related to hemisphere).

• Same names: subtract

Opposite names: add

• If >180 then subtract from 360, change name

 Example 3
Find the D’Long for a vessel travelling from;
Longitude 016° 17.0'E to longitude 029° 15.8‘E.

Solution:
– Departure Longitude: 016° 17.0'E
– Arrival Longitude: 029° 15.8‘E A B
– D’Long: 12° 58.8’E

Note that the vessel is travelling in a Easterly

direction. 000°
 Example 4
Find the D’Long for a vessel travelling from
Longitude 016° 17.0'E to longitude 029°
15.8‘W.

Solution:
– Departure Longitude: 016° 17.0'E
B A
– Arrival Longitude: 029° 15.8‘W
– D’Long: 45° 32.8’W

Note that the vessel is travelling in a Westerly 000°

direction.
 Example 5
Find the D’Long for a vessel travelling from
Longitude 136° 17.0'E to longitude 149° 15.8‘W.

Solution:
– Departure Longitude: 136° 17.0'E
– Arrival Longitude: 149° 15.8‘W
A B
– D’Long: 285° 32.8’E
– Deduct from 360° 360° 00.0’
– Dlong: 74° 27.2’E
Note that the vessel is travelling in a Easterly
direction. 180°
 Departure
• Distance measured in nautical
miles along a parallel of latitude
• Measured in a east - west
direction
• Less between same meridians at
higher latitudes

DEP = D’LONG X COS LAT

(PARALLEL SAILING ONLY )
DEP = D’LONG X COS MEAN LAT
(PLANE SAILING ONLY )
EXERCISE CALCULATING D’LAT & D’LONG BETWEEN TWO POSITIONS

Table - A Calculate the D’Lat and D'long between the given positions

INITIAL LATITUDE INITIAL LONGITUDE ARRIVAL LATITUDE ARRIVAL LONGITUDE

37 ° 14.7 ’ N 13 ° 14.0' E 39 °11.8' N 28 ° 19.7 ' E

44 ° 15.0 ‘S 169 ° 14.7 ' E 30 ° 10.7 ' S 109°15.O‘E

11 °42.0 ‘ N 17 ° 14.2 ' W 10 ° 18.0 ' S 41 ° 19.5 ' E

19 ° 21.2 ‘ N 170 ° 14.0 ' W 00 ° 12.6 ' S 168 ° 55.7 ' E

Table – B Calculate the arrival position from the following information.

INITIAL LATITUDE INITIAL LONGITUDE D'LAT D'LONG

35 ° 13.9 ‘ N 45 ° 27.3 ' W 6 ° 11.4 ' S 67 ° 10.5 ' E

27 ° 56.4 ' S 105 °44.3' W 23 ° 11.6 ' S 23 ° 19.3 ' W

28 °24.0 'S 155 ° 18.0 ' E 35 ° 22.9 ’ N 35 ° 12.0 ' E

67 ° 12.5 ‘ N 175 °35.5 ' E 2 ° 11.7 ‘ N 21 ° 41.1 ‘ W

 Answers

Table A:
1) 01° 57.1‛ N (117.1‛ N) 15° 05.7‛ E (905.7‛ E)
2) 14° 04.3′ N (844.3‛ N) 59° 59.7’ W (3599.7‛ W)
3) 22° 00.0‛ S (1320‛ S) 58° 33.7‛ E (3513.7‛ E)
4) 19° 33.8‛ S (1173.8‛S) 20° 50.3‛ W (1250.3‛ W)

Table B:
1) 29° 02.5‛ N 21° 43.2‛ E
2) 51° 08.0‛ S 129° 03.6‛ W
3) 06° 58.9‛ N 169° 30.0‛ W
4) 69° 24.2‛ N 153° 54.4‛ E
 Sailings
Types:
1. Parallel Sailing
2. Plane Sailing (Rhumbline)
3. Mercator Sailing (Rhumbline)
4. Great Circle Sailing
5. Composite Great Circle sailing
 Sailings
A rhumbline is a method of sailing where the
heading remains constant and the course line cuts
all meridians at the same angle.
This is convenient from a navigation point of view
as it appears as a straight line on a Mercator
Chart.

However, if drawn on the globe it would appear

as an curve, crossing all the meridians of
longitude at the same angle, spiralling towards
the Pole (known as a loxodromic curve)

It is not the shortest distance between two

points on Earth.
 Sailings
The shortest distance between two points is a great circle track, this appears
as a straight line on a sphere and as a curve on a Mercator chart.

Note - The great circle route takes a vessel into higher latitudes while a
Rhumbline route takes a vessel to lower latitudes
PARALLEL
SAILING
 Parallel Sailing
• Vessel maintains a Course 090° (T) [due EAST] or 270° (T) [due WEST]
• Latitude constant
• No limitation on distance
• Curve on Gnomonic chart
• Straight line on Mercator chart

DEPARTURE = D'LONG x COSINE LATITUDE

At 0800hrs a vessel is in position Latitude 49o 00.0’ N Longitude 017o
28.0’W steering 090o (T)
At 1000hrs the navigator calculates that the ship has covered a total
of 56 nm.
Calculate the ship’s 1000hrs position.

Dep = D’Long Cos Lat

D’Long = Dep / Cos Lat
= 56/ Cos 49o
= 85’.4 East
= 1o 25.4’ East
Long 017o 28.0’W
D’Long 1o 25.4’E
Long 016o 02.6’W
Therefore 1000hrs Position: Lat 49o 00.0’N Long 016o 02.6’W
Calculate the Course and Distance between:
Lat 13o 12’ S Long 175o 25’W and Lat 13o 12’S Long 169o 54’E

Lat 13o 12’ S Long 175o 25’W

Lat 13o 12’S Long 169o 54’E
D’Long = 14o 41’W
= 881’
Departure = D’long Cos Lat
= 881’ x cos 13.2o
Distance = 857.7 nm
Course = 270o
 PLANE
SAILING
 Plane Sailing
• Sailing along a fixed course
• Cuts meridians at same angle
• For distances < 600 nm

DEPARTURE = D'LONG x COSINE MEAN LATITUDE

 Plane Sailing Formula
Departure

Tan Course = Dep/D’lat [D’long]

Distance = D’Lat/Cos Co D’Lat

Distance
Departure = D’Long x Cos Mean Lat

• We cannot use D’Lat with D’Long because they are different units
• D’Long must be converted to departure to find the course & distance
• Departure must be converted to D’long to apply to the initial position
to find the final position
• We must use Mean Latitude
Calculate the course and distance between:
D’long/Departure
Lat 13° 20’N Long 014° 20’ W E
Lat 20° 04’N Long 009° 08’W B
20 04’N
First calculate the D’lat and the D’long: D’Lat
009 08’W
N
Lat 13o 20’N Long 014o 20’ W
Distance
Lat 20o 04’N Long 009o 08’ W
D’lat 06° 44’N D’long 05° 12’ E
404’ N 312’ E
A 13 20’N
014 20’W

Calculate the Mean Latitude: Calculate Departure:

Lat 13o 20’N Dep = D’Long x Cos Mean Lat
+ Lat 20o 04’N Dep = 312 x Cos 16°42’
33° 24’ (÷2) Dep = 298.8’
Mean Lat 16° 42’N
Calculate Course: D’long/Departure
E
Tan θ° = Departure/D’lat B
Tan θ° = 298.8/ 404 = 0.7396 20 04’N
009 08’W
Tan-1 θ°= 36.487°= N 036.5°E D’Lat
N
True Course = 000°+ 36.5 = 036.5°(T) Distance
(NOTE: The SQA require courses to nearest Decimal place)

Calculate Distance: A 13 20’N

014 20’W
Dist = D’Lat/Cos Co
Dist = 404/Cos 36.5°= 502.577
Dist = 503 nm

Answer: Course 036.5°(T) Distance 503nm

 Example:
Calculate the course and distance between position A latitude 55°24’N
longitude 001°10’W, and position B latitude 53°55’N longitude
007°15’E.

First work out the D’lat and the D’long

A 55°24’N 001°10’W A
B 53°55’N 007°15’E
D’lat 1°29’S D’long 8°25’E B
89’S 505’E

Now draw a right angled triangle using the above information.

To calculate departure using:
Vessel travelling from A to
Dep = D’Long x Cos Mean Lat, we need the B
Mean Latitude: A
Lat A 55°24’N
Lat B 53°55’N
109°19’ (÷ 2)
Mean Lat = 54°39.5’N Distance AB
Dep = D’lon x Cos Mean Lat D’Lat (S)
= 505’ x Cos 54°39.5’
Departure = 292.12’

Calculate Course using:

D’long/Departure
Tan θ°= Dep/D’lat (E)
Tan θ°= 292.12/89 = 3.2882
Tan-1 = 73.055° Note; Course = 180º - Θº
= S73.06°E
Course = 180°– 73.1°= 106.9°T
 Vessel travelling from A to B
To calculate distance using:
Dist = D’Lat/Cos Co A
= 89/Cos 73.06°
= 305.453nm
Distance AB
Answer: Course 106.9°(T) D’Lat (S)
Distance 306nm

D’long/Departure
(E)

Note; Course = 180º - Θº

Plane Sailing Questions from P4 of Notes
MERCATOR
SAILING
 Mercator Sailing
Similar to Plane Sailing, as it is still a plane
right angle triangle. However unlike plane
sailing Meridional parts take into account
shape of earth

Used for any distance

➢ Length of meridian between Equator and

given latitude on Mercator Projection
Chart, in units of longitude at Equator,
constitutes meridional parts
➢ In Norrie’s Tables (& Blue Folder)
 Meridional Parts
Although Mercator Sailing is based on Meridional Parts (MP) of any Latitude
trigonometric functions the are the number of Longitude units
arguments used are slightly different contained in a meridian between the
from plane sailing and should not be parallel of that Latitude and the
confused. equator.
 Meridional Parts
Meridional Parts (MP) of any Latitude
Tables for Meridonal Parts are found in
are the number of Longitude units
Norries Tables (on the ship) and also in
contained in a meridian between the
your Blue Book.
parallel of that Latitude and the
equator.
 Meridional Parts ( M.P.)
D.M.P. : Difference in Meridional Parts of two latitudes
Latitude same name → subtract
Latitude opposite names → add

*Interpolation required

Mercator Sailing Formula

Tan Co. = D’long
D.M.P. (Both units of Longitude)

Distance = D’Lat
(Both units of nm)
Cos Co.

Cos Co. = D’Lat (Both units of nm)

Distance
 Difference in Meridional Parts (DMP)
Difference in Meridional parts (DMP) is
the number of Meridional Parts
between two latitudes, eg:
Lat DMP
14 01’ N 843.85
23 00’ N 1409.49
565.64

• Latitude same name subtract

• Latitude opposite names add

Interpolation is required to obtain MPs

for decimal places.
(2DP as no more accurate than table!)
 DMP Example
Find the DMP between 25° 30’N and 47° 42’N.
25° 30’ N = 1573.09
47° 42’ N = 3247.39
DMP = 1674.30
 Example 1

a) Find Course & distance between the positions:

A - Lat 16º 00’S Long 005º 55’W
B - Lat 40º 28’N Long 074º 00’W
b) If the vessel departed from position A at 1500 0n 24th
March and travels at an average speed of 18 knots, find
the time and date of arrival at position B
 Solution 1(a)
We first need to find D’Lat, Dlong and DMP
 Solution 1(a)
Create a table similar to below, then enter Latitude
and Longitude.

Lat MP Long
A 16° 00’S 966.28 005° 55’W
B 40° 28’N 2644.17 074° 00’W
D’Lat D’Long
DMP

Then find the Meridonal Parts for each Latitude and

enter them.
 Solution 1(a)
Work out and then enter the D’lat, D’Long and DMP

Lat MP Long Remember to multiply

the Lat/Long by 60 to
A 16° 00’S 966.28 005° 55’W
obtain the figure in
B 40° 28’N 2644.17 074° 00’W minutes.
D’Lat 56° 28’N D’Long 68° 05’W In this case Lat A and
3,388’ 3,610.45 4,085’ Lat B are in different
DMP
hemispheres, so add.
Tan Co= D’long/DMP
= 4085/3610.45
= 1.13144
Course= N 48.5° W
= 311.5°(T) = 311½°(T)

Distance = D’lat/Cos Co
= 3388’/Cos 48.5
= 5113.0’

1a) Course 311½°(T) @ 5,113 nm

 Solution 1(b)
b) If the vessel departed from position A at 1500 0n 24th March and travels at an
average speed of 18 knots, find the time and date of arrival at position B.

Speed = 18kts Arr: 1100z

Time = distance ÷ speed 5 April
= 5,113 ÷ 18
= 284 hrs (divide this by 24) Steaming
= 11d 20h time
11d 20h

Depart 24th (March) 1500 (GMT)

Dept: 1500z
Steaming Time: +11d 24 March
4th April
+20h
Arrival 5th April 1100 (GMT)

Answer 1b: Arrival at position B at 1100 hrs on 5th April

 Example 2
000°T

A vessel DR position Lat 4° 15’S

Long 134° 19’W, steers 235° T at
speed 15kts for 3 days 10 hours. 235°T

55°

Calculate the arrival position

 Example 2 - Solution
1 - Find distance if 15kts for 3d 10h [82hrs]:
Distance = 15 x 82 = 1230’
2 - D’lat = Distance x Cos Co 3 – Find DMP
= 1230’ x Cos 55º Use Latitude to find MP at B
= 705.5’
= 11º 45.5’S

Lat MP Long
A 4° 15’S 253.5 134° 19’W
D’lat 11° 45.5’S DMP 713.3 D’long
B 16° 00.5’S 966.8

Position = 16°00.5’S 151° 17.7’W

 Example 2 - Solution

4 - D’long = DMP x Tan Co

= 713.3 x Tan 55°
= 1018.7’
= 16° 58.7’ W

Position = 16°00.5’S 151° 17.7’W

Lat MP Long
A 4° 15’S 253.5 134° 19’W
D’lat 11° 45.5’S DMP 713.3 D’long 16° 58.7’W
B 16° 00.5’S 966.8 151° 17.7’W
Mercator Sailing Questions from P5 of Notes
GREAT CIRCLE
SAILING
Great Circle Sailing
 Great Circles
• Replace basic plane
triangle with a terrestrial
triangle PAB.
• Two meridians converging
at Pole (P) and two
positions (A & B), one on
each meridian
• Each meridian is a great
circle
• Third side of triangle is a
great circle passing
through A and B
When resolving a GC calculation draw a diagram
Pole
D’Long

Function
of Final
Course
V

Initial
Course V = Vertex (Max Latitude)
Ship’s Course is either Destination B
090°(T) or 270° (T) Point

A Departure
Point
 Great Circles
P Closest pole (North for
northern hemisphere or
South Pole for a southern
hemisphere)
A Initial position
B Final position
AB Great circle between initial
and final positions
PA Co-lat of initial position or
(90° – LatA)
PB Co-lat of final position or
(90° – LatB)

<P D’long between two positions

<A Initial course angle
<B Final course angle
*By knowing three of last six above we can calculate
the rest
 Great Circle Course
& Distance Calculations
Resolved by spherical trig calculations

Distances:

For a Vessel sailing from position A to position B, distance is found using:

Cos Dist = Cos D’Long AB x Cos Lat A x Cos Lat B (+/-) Sin Lat A x Sin Lat B

Add if latitude A & B are the same name (N or S)

Subtract if latitude A & B different names (N and S)

Shown in your Formulae Sheet as:

Cos AB = (Cos P x Sin PA x Sin PB) + (Cos PA x Cos PB)

Answer for AB in degrees - so convert degrees to nautical miles (multiply by 60)

 90°– Cos Θ = Sin Θ
&
90°– Sin Θ = Cos Θ

Cos AB = (Cos P x Sin PA x Sin PB) +/- (Cos PA x Cos PB)

Cos Dist = Cos P x Sin CoLat A x Sin CoLat B (+/-) Cos CoLat A x Cos CoLat B

Cos Dist = Cos D’Long x Cos Lat A x Cos Lat B (+/-) Sin Lat A x Sin Lat B
GC Courses
Courses are calculated using
the ABC method or
using the Sine formula:

However, the ABC method should be the primary method used and the Sine
formula can be used as a quick check if needed.

The ABC formula are shown in the Celestial Navigation format in your formula
sheet as:
A = Tan Lat B = Tan Dec C = A +/- B Tan Azimuth = 1 .
Tan LHA Sin LHA C x Cos Lat

For GC we change to:

A = Tan Lat B = Tan Lat B C = A +/- B Tan Azimuth = 1 .

Tan D’long Sin D’Long C x Cos Lat A
 Great Circles
For Angle A Initial course

Use ABC formulae

A = Tan LatA / Tan D’long

B = Tan LatB / Sin D’long
C=A±B
Tan Azimuth = 1 / ( C x Cos LatA)
For Angle B Final Course
Use ABC formulae (from B to A).
Once found ➔ reverse signs

A = Tan LatB / Tan D’long

B = Tan LatA / Sin D’long
C=A±B
Tan Azimuth = 1 / ( C x Cos LatB )
GREAT CIRCLE
SAILING
EXAMPLES
 Example 1
Typical Question:

A vessel is to Sail from:

A, Lat 40°43’N Long 074°00’W
to
B, Lat 38°42’N Long 025°35’E

Calculate:
a. Great Circle distance &
b. Initial Course.
First sketch a rough diagram:

Pole
D’Long

a
b

Initial c B
Course
Destination

Lat 38°42’N Long 025°35’E

A Departure Point
Lat 40°43’N Long 074°00’W
Calculating the D’long
• Initial Long. 074° 00’W
• Final Long. 025° 35’E
• D’Long = 99° 35’E
0° (Prime
Meridian)

Easterly Course

074° 00’W 025° 35’E

Calculate the Distance
Cos Dist = (Cos D’Long x Cos Lat A x Cos Lat B)
(+ or -) (Sin Lat A x Sin Lat B)
= (Cos 99° 35’ x Cos 40° 43’ x Cos 38° 42)
+ (Sin 40° 43’ x Sin 38°42’)
(NB Latitudes have same name ADD)
= -0.09848 + 0.40786
Cos Dist = 0.30938
= 71.978° (x 60)
Distance = 4318.7 nm
Answer (a) Great Circle Distance = 4,319nm

NB when giving the answer to large distances always round to the nearest
mile
Finding Initial Course
• Use the ABC method in preference to the sine
rule
• This method adapts Celestial Navigation Formula
• Information can be found in Nautical Tables such
as Norries or calculated using Spherical
Trigonometry
• ABC are the names given to components which
we use to find the angles we require.
The ABC Method
A = Tan Lat A Always named opposite to Latitude A, except
Tan D’long when D’long angle is greater than 90°

B = Tan Lat B Always named the same as the Latitude B

Sin D’long

A + B [if A & B same names]

C = A +/- B A ~ B [if names different taking the name
from the greater of A or B]

Tan Az = 1 .
C x Cos Lat A
Tan Az = 1÷ (C x Cos Lat A)
A= Tan Lat A ÷ Tan D’Long
Tan 40°43’ / Tan 99°35’ = 0.1453 N
B= Tan Lat B ÷ Sin D’Long
Tan 38°42’ / Sin 99°35’ = 0.8125 N
C= 0.1453 + 0.8125 = 0.9578 N
A - named opposite to Lat A, except when D’long
angle is between 90° and 270°)
B - named same as Lat B
C – same names add; otherwise difference

Tan Az = 1 ÷ (0.9578 x Cos 40°43’) = 1.3775

Az = Tan-1 1.3775 (ie use Inv Tan)
= 54.02° = N 54° E
True Course = 054°(T)

Answer (b) Initial Course: 054°(T)

 Great Circles Example (2)
A vessel is to sail a great circle track between following positions.

Position A,Tokyo (Japan) 35°43’N , 139° 46’E

Position B, San Francisco (USA) 37° 48’N , 122°25’W

Find the:

1. Distance
2. Initial course
3. Final course
 Great Circles Example
Vessel will head Eastwards from Japan then cross International Date line en route. Longitudes named different
therefore add together to get d’long.

D’Long = 139°46’ + 122° 25’ = 262° 11’

D’long greater than 180 » subtract from 360°
D’long = 360° – 262°11’ = 97° 49’

Distance along the track:

Cos AB = Cos D’Long Cos LatA Cos LatB + Sin LatA Sin LatB
= Cos AB = Cos 35° 43’ Cos 37° 48 Cos 97° 49 + Sin 35° 43’ Sin 37° 48’
= 0.8119…. x 0.7901… x (-0.1360..) + 0.5837.. x 0.6129…
= - 0.0872…. + 0.3578…….
= 0.270549749
AB = Cos-1 ( 0.270549…)AB
= 74.3030°
= 74.3030 x 60 nmls
= 4458.2 nmls
 Great Circles Example
Initial course:
• A always opposite name to LatA (except when d’long > 90o)

A = Tan LatA / Tan D’long = Tan 35° 43’ / Tan 97° 49’

= 0.7190… / 7.2844…

= 0.0987…..(N)

• B always same name as LatB

B = Tan LatB / Sin D’long = Tan 37° 48’ / Sin 97° 49’

= 0.7756…. / 0.9907….

= 0.7829…..(N)
 Great Circles Example
C ➔ sum of A and B
- If A and B same name ➔ Add
- If A and B different names ➔ Subtract (smaller from large & name same as larger)
C = A ± B = 0.0987… (N) + 0.7829… (N)
= 0.881660235 (N)

Tan Azimuth = 1 / ( C x Cos LatA )

= 1 / (0.88166…. x Cos 35 43’)
= 1 / 0.8816… x 0.8119… )
= 1 / 0.7158….
= 1.396975698
Azimuth = Tan-1 (1.39969…) = N 54.4° E
Initial Course = 054.4° (T)

Naming Azimuth:
In front named as C (N or S)
Behind depends on direction of sailing (East for Tokyo to USA)
 Great Circles Example
Final course:
Once found from B to A, reverse it (A to B)

A always opposite name to LatB (except when d’long > 90°)

A = Tan LatB / Tan D’long = Tan 37° 48’ / Tan 97° 49’
= 0.7756… / 7.2844…
= 0.10648…..(N)

B always same name as LatA

B = Tan LatA / Sin D’long = Tan 35° 43’ / Sin 97° 49’
= 0.7190…. / 0.9907….
= 0.7257…..(N)

C ➔ numerical sum of A and B

- If A and B samename ➔ Add
- If A ad B different names ➔ Subtract (smaller from large and name same as larger)
C = A ± B = 0.10648… (N) + 0.7257… (N)
= 0.832242337 (N)
 Great Circles Example
Tan Azimuth = 1 / ( C x Cos LatB )
= 1 / (0.8322…. x Cos 37 48’)
= 1 / 0.8322… x 0.7901… )
= 1 / 0.64699….
= 1.545611459
Azimuth = Tan-1 (1.54561…)
= N 57.1° W

Azimuth North because A and B both North West to go from B to A

Reverse this to get final course

Course BA = N 57.1° W

Final course (AB) = S 57.1° E

= 122.9° (T)
 MCA - Accuracy
1. Anything calculated which will go into another formula (courses, distance,
dep, anything) - 5 decimals.
2. ABC for Cel nav - 5 decimals (If using Norries, use same DPs as tables and
state using Norries Tables in your answer)
3. Final answer for courses - ½ degree
4. Final answer for distances - 1 decimal short distances, if very large
distance, can go to nearest mile.
5. Final answer for ETA - Depends what’s asked in the question; may ask ‘to
the nearest hour’.
Great circle vertex
Napier’s rules
 Great Circles Vertex
Vertex
Two types:
• Vertex lies along path
of great circle track

• Vertex lies outside path

of great circle track
a) Problems where the vertex lies along the path of the great circle track
which the vessel is to sail, occur if both the initial and final positions are in:
• the same hemisphere and
• Courses have different quadrants (eg NE/SW).
If the Initial and Final points lie in separate hemispheres, the vertex lies
between A & B in the hemisphere of the higher latitude
b) Problems where the vertex lies outside the path of the great circle track which the
vessel is to sail occur:
• If the Initial and the Final angles/course are both in the same quadrant then the
Vertex would lie on the extended track joining the two, either towards the Initial
point or towards the Final point.
(in other words the track courses will all be SE’ly or NE’ly or SW’ly or SE’ly).

http://thenauticalsite.com/NauticalNotes/TerresNav/MyTerrNav-Lesson06-Sailings.htm
 Great Circles Vertex
PA - meridian passing through A (Co-Lat or 90o – LatA)
PB - meridian passing through B (Co-Lat or 90o – LatB)
V - vertex of great circle
PV - meridian passing through vertex
<PVA = <PVB = 90o
Using Napier’s Rules

Diagram shows:
- A great circle track (A to B) its track lying in NH
- P is North Pole
 Position of the Vertex
Parallel of
• The highest latitude a great circle Latitude N Pole
reaches will be the same as the
inclination at which it crosses the
equator.

• If the Great Circle has an inclination of Course

50° as it crosses the Equator, the
highest latitude reached will be
50°00’N. 90°-Course

• It will have an angle of 40° to the

meridian. (i.e. 90°- 50°)

• An alternative way to describe this is Equator

that the course of the great circle
track as it crosses the equator will be
equal to the compliment of the
latitude of the vertex (90-Lat).

S
Pole
The longitude of the vertex will be 90° from
the point where the great circle track cuts
the equator. N Parallel of
Pole Latitude

So, if a ship is heading in a north-easterly

direction then longitude of the northerly
vertex will be 90° to the east of that point, Course
eg:
inclination
If the GC passes the equator at 020°E, then Equator
the North Vertex will be at 110°E. [and the
90°
South Vertex will be at 70°W]

S
Pole
Example 1
A vessel sailing on a great circle track crosses the equator
longitude 164°35’W on a course of 038°(T)
N 164°35’W – 90 =
Find the position of the two vertices. 074°35’W

Solution
Note vessel heading North & East.
Latitude of vertex:
90°–38° = 52°North Co 38
Longitude of vertex:
164°35’W – 90°E = 074° 35’ W
90°-Co = 52°
Position of Northerly Vertex: 52°00’N Eqtr
074°35’W
164°35’W

The position of the second Vertex will

be diametrically opposite the first
hence longitude will be 180° away.
Position of Southerly Vertex: 164°35’W + 90 =
105°25’E
S
52°00’S 105°25’E (ie 180°-074°35’W)
 164°35’W
Vs = 105°25’W
[180°-074°35’W]

Vn = 074°35’W
[164°35’W-90°]

GM
 Napier’s Rules
Napiers rules can be applied to any spherical triangle where there is either a 90°
side or a 90° angle. The rule states:

Sin of the Middle Part = Product of the Cosines of the Opposite Parts
(ie, Sin Mid Part = Cos Opp x Cos Opp)

Sin of the Middle Part = Product of the Tangents of the Adjacent Parts
(ie, Sin Mid Part = Tan Adj x Tan Adj)

The ‘Parts’ are simply the other sides and angles within the triangle

To use Napier’s rules we need to know at least two parts of the triangle, other
than the 90° angle.
Referring to triangle PAV we know;
• PA (co-lat of A)
• Angle V (90)
Angle A is not given, but we can calculate
this given the position of A & B (ABC)
(NB! B is not shown as it would be beyond V in
the second triangle)

We can find:
• Side PV (co-lat of the vertex)
• Angle P - to find the d’long of the vertex
from A
• Side AV – to find the distance of the vertex
from A
 Napier’s Wheel
Napier’s formula can best be rembered using Napier’s wheel.
Going back to the properties of our triangle remember that it has 6 elements; 3
angles and 3 sides.
Start by identifying the right-angle, in this case V, place at top of the wheel:
Then identify the Parts (sides and angles) in rotation:

V
P
Side Side
PV
PV AV
PA

V 90-θ
Angle Angle
AV P A

A Side PA
 P
Napier’s Wheel
Always use elements that you are given in the
question, ie Angle V= 90°, PA = Co-Lat A
We can work out Angle A = Initial Course, V
We need to know:
Departure
Side PV to find Latitude of V
A Point
Angle P = D’Long, to find Longitude of V

Remember (90 –) is the same

as ‘the complement of’
Example 1
A ship is to Sail from East London (South Africa), departure 33° 00’S 028°
00’E, great circle route to Melbourne, 39° 00’S 144° 00’E. Ship’s speed 18kts.
Calculate:
a) Total Distance
b) Initial Course
c) Position of the vertex
d) Steaming time
e) ETA ST Melbourne if ship departs East London 1600 ST
3rd June

Note:
Total distance and initial course calculated by cosine rule and
ABC respectively.

Position of vertex is found using Napier’s Rule.

 Sketch the GC Route
Remembering that the pole is to the South of the route
A
33° 00’S
028° 00’E
B
V
39° 00’S
144° 00’E

P Long A 028° 00’ E

Finding
Long B 144° 00’ E
a) Total Distance (Cos Dist Formula)
b) Initial Course (ABC) D’Long 116° 00’ E
c) Position of the vertex (Napier’s Rules)
d) Steaming time (Distance/Speed)
e) ETA ST Melbourne if ship departs East London 1600 ST 3rd June (Almanac Standard Times)
(a) Calculate the Distance Latitudes same name (both South) so ADD.

Cos Dist = Cos D’Long. Cos Lat A. Cos Lat B (+ or -) Sin Lat A. Sin Lat B Long A 028° 00’ E
= (Cos 116° 00’. Cos 33°00’. Cos 39° 00’) + (Sin 33° 00’ Sine 39°00’) Long B 144° 00’ E
D’Long 116° 00’ E
= -0.28572 + 0.34276
= 0.05704
= 86.73°
(86.73° x 60)
Distance = 5,203.8’
Answer (a) 5,204 nm

(b) Initial Course

A = Tan Lat A/Tan D’Long = Tan 33°/Tan 116° = 0.31674 S
B = Tan Lat B/Sin D’Long = Tan 39°/ Sin 116°= 0.90097 S
C = 1.21771 S (Same names so Add)

Tan Az = 1/(C x Cos Lat A) = 1 / (1.21771 x Cos 33°) = 0.979185

Az = S 44.4° E (Remember to name Azimuth Correctly)
= 180°- 44.4° = 135.6°(T)
Answer (b) Initial Course: 135.6° (T)
To Find the position of the vertex use Napier’s Wheel
Draw the triangle then fill in in the wheel.
What do we know?
V= 90°, PA = Co-Lat A and A = Initial Course (using ABC)
V Initial
Course
44.4º
AV PV

A P
(90-A) (90-P)
Side PA = 57°
PA
(90 – Lat A)
(90-PA)

We need to know:
Side PV: Co Lat, to find Latitude of V
Angle P: D’Long, to find Longitude of V
Napier’s Formula
Sin of the middle Part = Product of the Cosines of the opposite parts
Sin of the Middle Part = Product of the tangents of the adjacent parts
V Initial
Course
44.4º
AV PV

A P
(90-A) (90-P)
PA Side PA = 57°
(90-PA) (90 – Lat A)

To Find Latitude V (90-PV):

Here we use the ,“opposites rule”, because PV is by itself and
(90 –PA) and (90 – A) are opposite to PV. So, PV is the middle
part:
Sin PV = Cos (90-PA) x Cos (90-A)
 Remember the Opposites Formula
Sin of the middle Part = Product of the
Cosines of the opposite parts

Therefore, if we insert the known information:

Sin PV = Cos (90 – A) x Cos (90 – PA)
Sin PV = Cos (90 – 44.4) x Cos (90 – 57)
= Cos 45.6 x Cos 33
= 0.586787
(Sin-1) PV = 35.929° V
Find Latitude V = 90 – PV
= 90 – 35.93°
AV PV
= 54.07°
= 54°04.2’ S
A P
(90-A) (90-P)
PA
(90-PA)
Now to Find Angle P (D’long AV)
This time we have 90-P, 90-PA and 90-A all next to one another in the wheel.
So, use the ‘adjacent rule’ with 90-PA being the middle part.

Initial
V Course
44.4º

AV PV

A P
(90-A) (90-P) Side PA = 57°
PA (90 – Lat A)
(90-PA)

Sin of the Middle Part = Product of the tangents of the adjacent Parts
Sin of the Middle Part = Product of the tangents of the adjacent Parts

Sin (90 – PA) = Tan (90–P) x Tan (90–A)

However, we need to rearrange the formula:

Tan (90–P) = Sin (90–PA) / Tan (90–A)
= Sin (90–57) / Tan (90–44.4)
= Sin 33 / Tan 45.6
= 0.53335
(90 – P) = 28.07
Therefore P = 61.93°
D’Long = 61° 55.8’E
V
To calculate Longitude of Vertex:

Initial Longitude 028° 00.0’E AV PV

D’long AV 061° 55.8’E

Vertex Long 089° 55.8’E A P
(90-A) (90-P)
PA
(90-PA)
Answer position of Vertex: 54° 04.2’S 089° 55.8’E
To Find Steaming Time
Distance = 5204 nm, Speed = 18 knots
Time = Dist/Speed
= 5204 ÷ 18
= 289.11 hours
= 289.11 ÷ 24
= 12 days, 01 hour, 07 min
Steaming time: 12 days 01 hour

Calculate ETA
Depart East London (SA) 1600 03/06 Standard Time
Time difference 0200 UT+2 (South Africa)
1400 03/06 UTC
Steaming Time 01 h 12 d
Arrival 1506 15/06 UTC
Time difference 10 UT+ 10 (Victoria, Australia)
Arrival Melbourne 2506 15/06 Standard Time
Answer: Arrival 0106 Melbourne 16th June
 Great Circles Vertex – Example 2
EXAMPLE
A vessel sails on a great circle track from
A (51° 16’N, 005° 17’W) to B (48° 34’N, 043° 59’W)

Find initial course from A to B and position of Vertex.

 Great Circles Vertex
D’long between A and B = 43° 59’ W – 5° 17’W = 38° 42’ (W)
To find initial course using ABC formulae

A = Tan LatA / Tan D’long = Tan 51° 16’ / Tan 38° 42’ = 1.556………. (S)

B = Tan LatB / Sin D’long = Tan 48° 34’ / Sin 38° 42’ = 1.812………..(N)

C = A  B = 1.812……(N) – 1.556……(S)
= 0.25585…….(N)

Tan Az = 1 / C x Cos LatA

= 1 / (0.25585… x Cos 51° 16’)
= 1 / 0.16008….(N)
= 6.24655……(N)
Azimuth = N 80.9° W
Initial Co = 279.1° (T)
 Great Circles Vertex – Example
Cos LatV = Cos LatA x Sin <A
= Cos 51° 16’ x Sin 80.9°…..
= 0.62569… x 0.987428….
= 0.61783….
LatV = Cos-1 (0.61783..)
LatV = 51° 50.5’ N
 Great Circles Vertex – Example
Cot <P = Sin LatA x Tan <A
= Sin 51° 16’ x Tan 80.9°……
= 0.78006…. x 6.24670……
= 4.8728…..

Tan <P = 1 / 4.8728..

= 0.205219…..
<P = Tan-1 (0.205219…..)
<P = 11° 35.8’ - Named WEST as direction of travel

Longitude of A = 5° 17.0’W
+ <P = 11° 35.8’W
Longitude of V = 16° 52.8’W

Position of vertex: 51° 50.5’N , 16° 52.8’W

 Great Circles Vertex
• Vertex not between A and B

• Sometimes not obvious where vertex lies. Two methods to determine:

1) From Gnomonic chart see whether track reaches maximum.
2) If initial and final courses in different quadrants of compass ➔ Vertex in-between.
If initial and final courses in same quadrant ➔ Vertex outside track.

Tip:

If initial and final latitudes in same hemisphere and similar in magnitude most
likely vessel passes through vertex.

If initial and final latitudes named same and d’long between two positions more
than 90° vessel passes through vertex.
Calculate the distance, initial course, final course, position of the vertex, the longitude that the
great circle cuts the equator and the ship’s course when crossing the equator.
1. From Lat 38° 03S Long 122° 17W to Lat 41° 30N Long 141° 13E.
D’Long = 96° 30’ W
Dist = 7102 nm
P Initial Co:
A=0.08918 S
B=0.89045 N
C=0.80127 N
V B Az=1.58484 = 57° 38.7’= N 57.7 W
41° 30N In Co = 360-57.8° = 302°T
141° 13E
Final Co:
A= 0.10080 N
A B= 0.78776 S
38° 03S C= 0.68696 S
122° 17W
Az=1.94362 = 62°46.8’ = S62.8°E
Reverse for Course:
Fn Co = N 62.8 W = 297°T
Therefore vertex is beyond B

Dist Initial Final Vertex 1 Vertex 2. Long at Co at

Co Co Equator Equator
5 7102´ 302° 297° 48° 15´N 103° 23´E 166° 37´W 318°
Calculate the distance, initial course, final course, position of the vertex, the longitude that the great
circle cuts the equator and the ship’s course when crossing the equator.
D’Long = 96° 30’ W
1. From Lat 38° 03S Long 122° 17W to Lat 41° 30N Long 141° 13E. Dist = 7102 nm
A = 57.8°
B = 62°46.8’

To find Lat V (find PV)

Sin MP = Cos Opp x Cos Opp
Sin PV = Cos (90-PB ) x Cos (90-B)
V
PV = 41° 45.6’
P Lat V = 48° 14.4‘N

AV PV To find Long V (Find P)

Sin MP = Tan Adj x Tan Adj
Sin (90-PB) = Tan (90-B) x Tan (90-P)
B P Tan (90-P) = Sin (90-PB) / Tan (90-B)
(90-P) (90-P) =52°10.7’
V (90-B) So P (D’long) = 37°49.3’
PB
B Long V = 141°13’E – 37°49.3‘ = 103°23.7‘E
(90-PB)
41° 30N
141° 13E

Dist Initial Final Vertex 1 Vertex 2. Long at Co at

Co Co Equator Equator
5 7102´ 302° 297° 48° 15´N 103° 23´E 166° 37´W 318°
Calculate the distance, initial course, final course, position of the vertex, the longitude that the great
circle cuts the equator and the ship’s course when crossing the equator.
D’Long = 96° 30’ W
1. From Lat 38° 03S Long 122° 17W to Lat 41° 30N Long 141° 13E. Dist = 7102 nm
A = 57.8°
B = 62°46.8’

The longitude that the GC crosses the

equator is 90° from the Vertex, ie:
103°23.7‘E + 90° = 193°23.7‘
Longitude = 166°36.3‘W

The course at the equator is 90-Latitude of

vertex, ie: 90°- 48° 14.4‘N 48° 14.4‘N
So, 360 – N 41.8º W = 318.2ºT
41.8°
Course = 318ºT

Dist Initial Final Vertex 1 Vertex 2. Long at Co at

Co Co Equator Equator
5 7102´ 302° 297° 48° 15´N 103° 23´E 166° 37´W 318°
Pick up 210121

COMPOSITE GREAT CIRCLE

SAILING
 Composite Great Circle Sailings
Doing C.G.C. because of:
1- Dangerous ice or bad weather
2- Loadline Regulations
3- Crew agreement
4- Navigation aids (unreliable at high latitudes)
5- No astronomical observations available (due to poor visibility)
6- Hull insurance
7- Cargo
8- Limited daylight
9- Charterer’s instructions
10- GC impossible (due to Islands enroute)
11- Taking shortest route
 Limiting Latitude 45°N, Kashima to San Francisco

Limiting
Latitude
A 45°N

B
 Limiting Latitude 45°N, Kashima to San Francisco

Limiting
Latitude
A 45°N

B
 P

V1 V2
Distance
(Parallel
Sailing) B

A
 Charter Clause – Ice Limits of 40°N 40W

Limit 040°W

Limiting
Latitude Destination
40°N ‘B’

Depart ‘A’

Parallel
Sailing
 Composite Great Circle Sailings
• Diagram
 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Example Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts

A ship is to Sail from Durban 30° 00’S 031° 00’E to Melbourne 39° 00’S
144° 00’E.
Charter party instructions require the ship not to pass the 43° Parallel of
Latitude. Ship speed 12kts.
Calculate:
1. Initial Course
2. Total Distance
3. Steaming time and ETA ST Melbourne if ship departs Durban
St 1800 on September 29th.
4. Longitude when the ship arrives at the limiting latitude
5. Longitude when the ship leaves the limiting latitude

Note, a Composite Great Circle is resolved by Napier Rules

 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Sketch the GC Route Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts

Then take the first triangle

 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Right Angled Spherical Triangle Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts

This triangle has 6 Parts

• 3 angles - P, A, & V1
• 3 sides - PA, AV & PV
43° S
AV1 - distance along the first GC
APV - is the d’long between the
initial position and first vertex.
A - is the initial great circle course.
V1
To utilise Napier’s Rules we must
construct Napiers wheel 60° 47°
AV1 PV1
= 47°

90º-A 90º-P

90º-PA
 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Find Initial Course (Angle A) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts
We know:
V1 = 90°
PA = Co Lat
PV1 = Limiting lat
We need: 43° S
A = Initial Course

Use the opposites rule to find A:

Sin Mid Part = Cos Opp Cos Opp
V1
Sin PV1 = Cos 90-A x Cos 90-PA
Cos 90-A = Sin PV1 / Cos 90-PA 60° 47°
Cos 90-A = Sin 47 / Cos 30
AV1 PV1
= 0.73135 / 0.86602
= 47°
= 0.84449
90 – A = 32.38
90º-A 90º-P
A = 90º - 32.38º
= S 57.62º E 90º-PA
T Course = 180º - 57.62
= 122.4º(T)
 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Find Distance (side AV1) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts
We know:
V1 = 90°
PA = Co Lat
PV1 = Limiting lat
We need: 43° S
AV1 = GC Distance

Use the opposites rule to find AV1:

Sin Mid Part = Cos Opp Cos Opp V1
Sin 90-PA = Cos AV1 x Cos PV1
60° 47°
Cos AV1 = Sin (90 – PA)/Cos PV1
= Sin 30 / Cos 47 AV1 PV1
= 0.5000 / 0.681998 = 47°
= 42.849º
(x 60) = 2570.99 nm 90º-A 90º-P

Distance = 2,570.99 nm 90º-PA

 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Find Longitude of Vertex (D’long, Angle P) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts
We know:
V1 = 90°
PA = Co Lat
PV1 = Limiting lat
We need: 43° S
P = D’Long

Use the adjacents rule to find AV1:

Sin Mid Part = Tan Adj Tan Adj
V1
Sin 90-P = Tan PV1 x Tan 90-PA
= Tan 47 x Tan 30 60° 47°
= 0.61913
AV1 PV1
90 - P = 38.25º
= 47°
P = 51.75º
D’long = 51º45’ E
90º-A 90º-P

Long A = 031°00’ E 90º-PA

D’long + 51°45’ E
Long V1 = 082°45’E
Position of Vertex V1 43° 00.0’ S 082°45.’ E
 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Do the same for Triangle 2 (BV2P) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts
 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Do the same for Triangle 2 (BV2P) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts

V2

PV2 BV2
= 47°
47°
90º-P 90º-B 51°
90º-PB
= 51°
 Not requested but calculated to reinforce learning. A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Find Final Course (Angle B) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts
We know:
V2 = 90°
PB = Co Lat
PV2 = Limiting lat
We need:
B = Initial Course
47°
Use the opposites rule to find A:
51°
Sin Mid Part = Cos Opp Cos Opp
Sin PV2 = Cos 90-B x Cos 90-PB
Cos 90-B = Sin PV2 / Cos 90-PB
V2
Cos 90-B = Sin 47 / Cos 39
= 0.73135 / 0.77715
PV2 BV2
Cos-1 = 0.94107
= 47°
90 – B = 19.8°
B = 90º - 19.8º
= 70.2º 90º-P 90º-B
Course = 070.2º(T) 90º-PB
 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Find Distance (ie side AV1) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts
We know:
V2 = 90°
PB = Co Lat
PV2 = Limiting lat
We need:
BV2 = Initial Course
47°

51°
Use the opposites rule to find AV1:
Sin Mid Part = Cos Opp Cos Opp
Sin 90-PB = Cos BV2 x Cos PV2
Cos BV2 = Sin (90 – PB)/Cos PV2 V2
= Sin 39 / Cos 47
= 0.62932 / 0.681998 PV2 BV2
= 0.922759 47°
= 22.667º
(x 60) = 1,360.02 90º-P 90º-B
Distance = 1,360.02 nm 90º-PB
 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Find Longitude of Vertex 2 (D’long, Angle P) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts
We know:
V2 = 90°
PB = Co Lat
PV2 = Limiting lat
We need:
P = D’Long 47°
Use the adjacents rule to find P:
51°
Sin Mid Part = Tan Adj Tan Adj
Sin 90-P = Tan PV2 x Tan 90-PB
Cos PV2 = Tan 47 x Tan 39
= 1.072369 x 0.80978 V2
90 - P = 60.27º
P = 90 - 60.27º = 29.73 PV2 BV2
= 47°
D’long = 29º43.8’’ W

Long B = 144°00’ E 90º-P 90º-B

D’long - 29°43.8’ W 90º-PB
Long V2 = 114°16.2’E
Position of Vertex V2 43° 00.0’ S 114° 16.2’E
 A - Durban 30°S 031°E
B - Melbourne 39°S 144°E
Departure V1V2 (Parallel Sailing) Limiting Lat 43°S
Speed 12kts
Long of V1 = 082°45.0’ E
Long of V2 = 114°16.2’ E 114°16.2’E
082°45’E
D’long V1V2 = 31°31.2’ E
= 1891.2’ E
Dep = D’long x Cos Lat
= 1891.2’ x Cos 43°
= 1891.2 x 0.731354
Dist = 1383.14 nm

Total Distance
AV1 = 2,570.99 nm
V1V2 = 1,383.14 nm
V2B = 1,360.02 nm
Distance = 5,314.15 nm

Total Distance: 5,314 nm

(note answer must be rounded to the nearest mile)
Calculate Steaming Time
Distance = 5,314 Speed = 12kts
Time = 5314 / 12
= 442.9 hours
= 18 days 10 hours and 54 mins

The SQA for exam purposes require us to round to the nearest 10 minutes

Answer: 18 days 10 hours and 50 minutes.

Calculate ETA
Find ETA ST Melbourne if ship departs Durban St 1800 on Sept 29th:
Depart Durban 18h00m 29/09 Standard Time
Time Difference - 02 h
Depart Durban 16h00m 29/09 UTC
Steaming Time 10h54m 18d (18d 10h 54m)
26h54m 47d (note -24hr + 1 day)
Arr Melbourne 02h54m 18/10 UTC
Time difference +10 h
Arr Melbourne 12h54m 18/10 Standard Time

Arrival Melbourne 1254 (ST) 18th October

Final Answers
1 - Initial Course
122.4º(T)

2 - Total Distance
5314 nm

3 - Steaming time and ETA ST Melbourne if ship departs Durban St 1800 on Sept 29th.
18 days 10 hours and 50 minutes
Arrival Melbourne 1254 ST 18th October

4 - Longitude when the ship arrives at the limiting latitude

082°45.’E

5 - Longitude when the ship leaves the limiting latitude

114° 16.2’E
 Composite Great Circle Sailings
• Diagram
 Composite Great Circle Sailings
Example

A vessel is to sail a composite great circle track between the following positions

A 30o 10’S , 170o 24’E

B 32° 18’S , 87° 36’W

The vessel’s charterer’s have stated that the vessel must not go further south than 35 S.

Find:

a) The composite great circle distance between A and B.

b) The position of both vertices.

 Composite Great Circle Sailings
Draw a diagram first
Total D’Long = 360o – ( 170o 24’ + 87° 36’)

= 360o – 258°

= 102°
 Composite Great Circle Sailings
Consider PAV
Cos AV = Sin 30o 10’ / Sin 35°
= 0.502517…. / 0.573576….
= 0.8761117…
AV = Cos-1 ( 0.8761117…)
= 28° 49.4’
AV = 1729.4 nmls
Cos <P = Tan LatA / Tan LatV
= Tan 30o 10’ / Tan 35°
= 0.581235…. / 0.700207…
= 0.830090….
<P = Cos-1 ( 0.830090….)
<P = 33° 53.5’ (E)
Sin* PA = Cos AV x Cos PV
Cos PA = Cos AV x Cos PV
Sin LatA = Cos AV x Sin LatV
Cos AV = Sin LatA x/ Sin LatV
Sin* <P = Tan PV x Tan * PA
Cos P = Tan PV x Cot PA
Cos P = Cot LatV x Tan LatA
Cos P = Tan LatA / Tan LatV
AV PV
<A <P
PA
 Composite Great Circle Sailings
Similarly in PBV’
Cos BV’ = Sin LatB / Sin LatV’
= Sin 32° 18’ / Sin 35°
= 0.53435…. / 0.573576….
= 0.931614….
BV’ = Cos-1 ( 0.931614…..)
= 21° 18.7’
BV’ = 1278.7 nm

Cos <P = Tan LatB / Tan LatV

= Tan 32° 18’ / Tan 35°
= 0.632173.. / 0.7002075….
= 0.9028376…..
<P = Cos-1 (0.9028376…)
<P = 25° 28.0’ (W)
170o 24.0’ E
A 155° 42.5’W
To find longitude of V
Longitude of A = 170o 24.0’ E V
<P (PAV) = 33° 53.5’ (E) 33° 53.5’ (E)
Longitude of V = 204° 17.5’ E
= 155° 42.5’W
 Composite Great Circle Sailings
Longitude of V’
Longitude of B = 87° 36.0’ W
<P (PBV’) = 25° 28.0’ (W)
Longitude of V’ = 113° 04.0’ W

D’long VV’
Long of V = 155° 42.5’W
Long of V’ = 113° 04.0’W
D’long VV’ = 42° 38.5’
= 2558.5’

Parallel sailing
Departure = d’long x Cos Lat
= 2558.5’ x Cos 35°
= 2558.5 x 0.819152….
Departure = 2095.8 nm
 Composite Great Circle Sailings
Total distance
AB = AV +VV’ + V’B

AV = 1729.4 nm
+ +
VV’ = 2095.8 nm
+ +
V’B = 1278.7 nm
Distance = 5103.9 nm

✓ Position of Vertex V 35° 00.0’ S , 155° 42.5’ W

✓ Position of Vertex V’ 35° 00.0’ S , 113° 04.0’ W
✓ Total Distance 5103.9 nm
 MODIFIED
FORMULAE SHEET
 Modified Formulae Sheet
Parallel sailing
Dep = D’Long x Cos Lat (Since no change in Lat)

Plane sailing
Dep = D’Long x Cos Mean Lat (Mean of Start & Finish Lat)

Tan Co. = Departure

D’Lat
Distance = D’Lat
Cos Co.

Mercator sailing
Tan Co. = D’Long (Different from Plane Sailing)
D.M.P.

Distance = D’Lat
Cos Co.
 Modified Formulae Sheet
Great circle sailing
Cos Dist.AB = [Cos (D’Long) x Cos (LatA) x Cos (LatB)] +/- [Sin (LatA) x Sin (LatB)]
Lat same names ➔ Sum
Different names ➔ Difference

Sine Rule
Sin a = Sin b = Sin c
Sin A Sin B Sin C

ABC
A = Tan Lat A (ignore sign), name opp to Lat except when HA greater than 90˚& less than 270˚
Tan D’Long
B = Tan Lat B (ignore sign), name same as Lat B (Dec.)
Sin D’Long

A + B = C (same names sum) named for greater

Tan Angle = 1
___________
C x Cos Lat A Named from C & D’Long
 Modified Formulae Sheet
Napier’s rules
Sin Mid Part = Cos Opp x Cos Opp
Sin Mid Part = Tan Adj x Tan Adj

Must keep sides & angles in sequence

Vertex/angle at pole (when one angle = 90˚)

Cos Lat of Vertex = Cos Lat A x Sin Co.

(A initial position & vertex lies between A & B final position)

Cos D’long = Tan (90- Lat of Vertex)/ Tan (90- Lat A)
 Modified Formulae Sheet
Composite great circle sailing
Following formulae also for Spherical triangles if two angles = 90 (two vertices).

Modification of Napier’s Rules

Distances: Cos AV1 = Sin Lat A

(Dist A to V1) Sin Lat of vertex

Cos BV2 = Sin Lat B

(Dist A to V1) Sin Lat of vertex
 Modified Formulae Sheet
Course

Initial Course: Sin A = Cos Limiting Lat

Cos Lat A

Final Course: Sin B = Cos Limiting Lat

Cos Lat B

Position of vertex

Angle at Pole:
Cos P1 = Tan Lat A
(Between V & A or B) Tan Lat of Vertex

Cos P2 = Tan Lat B

Tan Lat of Vertex