Question:

On 30 March 1981, your 0145 DR position is LAT 29°30' S, LONG 122°45' E. You are on course
055° T at a speed of 22 knots. You observed 3 celestial bodies. Determine the latitude and longitude of
your 0600 running fix?
ZONE OBSERVED
BODY TIME GHA ALTITUDE(Ho) DECLINATION
Fomalhaut 0545 169²18.5' 32²50.8' S 29²43.4'
Altair 0550 217²14.7' 48²27.2' N 8²48.9'
Spica 0600 316²09.6' 13²34.0' S 11²03.8'

Answer: LAT 28°39.9' S, LONG 124°18.6' E

Solution:

Step 1: Calculate your approximate position at time of sight:

0145 hrs: 29 o 30.0 ’ S, 122 o 45.0 ’ E

Course = 055 o, Speed: 22 kts, Distance: 89.8’.
0550 hrs: 28 o 38.5 ’ S, 124 o 08.7 ’ E

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Step 1: Calculate LHA: Step 1: Calculate LHA: Step 1: Calculate LHA:

GHA : 169 o 18.5 ’ GHA : 217 o 14.7 ’ GHA : 316 o 09.6 ’

Long: + 123 o 41.5’ E Long: + 123 o 45.3 ’ E Long: + 123 o 50.4 ’ E
------------ ------------ ------------
LHA: 293 o 00.0 ’ LHA: 341 o 00.0 ’ LHA: 440 o 00.0 ’
LHA: 080 o 00.0 ’
(Remember: Alter your Long within (Remember: Alter your Long within (Remember: Alter your Long within
30’; to get a rounded LHA. Do not 30’; to get a rounded LHA. Do not 30’; to get a rounded LHA. Do not
exceed 30’). exceed 30’). exceed 30’).

Step 2: Calculate Zn & HC: Step 2: Calculate Zn & HC: Step 2: Calculate Zn & HC:

Use Pub 229: Use Pub 229: Use Pub 229:

LHA = 293 o LHA = 341 o LHA = 080 o
Lat = 29 o 00.0 ’ S Lat = 29 o 00.0 ’ S Lat = 29 o 00.0 ’ S
Decl = 29 o 43.4 ’ S Decl = 08 o 48.9 ’ N Decl = 11 o 03.8 ’ S

HC = 32 o 29.3 ’ HC = 47 o 58.7 ’ HC = 14 o 00.5 ’

Z= 071.4 o, Z= 151.3 o, Z= 084.9 o,

Cor = - 180.0 o,
n
Cor = - 180.0 o,
n
Cor = + 180.0 o,
n

--------- --------- ---------

Zn = 108.6 o, Zn = 028.7 o, Zn = 264.9 o,

Step 3: Calculate Intercept: Step 3: Calculate Intercept: Step 3: Calculate Intercept:

HO = 32 o 50.8 ’ HO = 48 o 27.2 ’ HO = 13 o 34.0 ’

HC = 32 o 29.3 ’ HC = 47 o 58.7 ’ HC = 14 o 00.5 ’
--------- --------- ---------
Int = 21.5 ’ Towards Int = 28.5 ’ Away Int = 26.5 ’ Away
(Remember the key: CGA. Coast (Remember the key: CGA. Coast (Remember the key: CGA. Coast
Guard Academy!) Guard Academy!) Guard Academy!)

Step 4: Calculate Distance Step 4: Calculate Distance Step 4: Calculate Distance

Run: Run: Run:

Time of Sight: 05 45 Time of Sight: 05 50 Time of Sight: 06 00

Time required: 06 00 Time required: 06 00 Time required: 06 00
------- ------- -------
Difference: 00 15 Difference: 00 10 Difference: 00 00
Speed = 22 Kts Speed = 22 Kts Speed = 22 Kts
Distance = 5.5 ’. Distance = 3.7 ’. Distance = 00 ’

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