Magnetic compasses

Solas Requirements of Magnetic compass

1. At least 1 magnetic compass vessel GRT 150 or more
must have 1 spare magnetic compass.
2. If Satellite compass onboard require 1 magnetic
compass.
3. If both magnetic compass burnt L/B compass may use.
4. Vessel 500 GRT or over must have gyro compass.
5. To use magnetic compass deviation card is required.
Directional Reference Systems
· Directional References
– Relative Bearings (R) = bearings measured with
reference to the ship’s longitudinal axis
– Magnetic Bearings (M) = bearings measured with
respect to magnetic north.
– True Bearings (T) = bearings measured with
respect to true of geographic north.

· Ship’s Head (or heading)

– a special bearing denoting the direction in which the
ship is pointing.
 Magnetic Compasses
· Operation -
– Magnets within the compass tend to align
themselves with the earth’s magnetic lines of force.
– Magnetic lines of force start from the North Pole
and end at the South Pole.
· Construction -
– The compass consists of a circular card, graduated
with 360 degreed around the face.
– A pair of magnets is attached to the underside of the
card, beneath the north-south axis.
– The card floats in the fluid to reduce friction and
dampen the vibrations caused by ship’s movement.
Parts of a Compass

• Constructed of
non-magnetic
materials.
Parts of a Compass

• Indexed card to
read direction.
Parts of a Compass

• Lubber line pins to

align compass with
boat.
Parts of a Compass

• Gimbal system to
keep card level
when boat heels
and pitches.
Parts of a Compass

• Spherical bowl with

expansion
diaphragm.
Parts of a Compass

• Fluid filled damping

system to impede
rapid card
movement.
Parts of a Compass

• Compensation
system to reduce
deviation error.
 Steering Compass Styles

• Top Reading Card

• Front Reading Card
• Usually used in binnacle • Used when
steering stations. compass
mounted on
bulkhead.
Advantages of Magnetic
Compasses
· Little maintenance required
· No power source required
· Durability
 Compass Errors
· Variation:
– Geographic (true) vs. magnetic north.
– Common to all parts of the globe.
– Identified on every chart’s compass rose(s).
· Deviation:
– Caused by shipboard magnetic influences.
– Exists on all vessels; different for each vessel.
– Depends on vessel's heading.
– Can vary widely.
 Magnetic Compass Error:
VARIATION
· Magnetic variation (or magnetic
declination), the angle between magnetic
north and true north due to the local
direction of the Earth’s magnetic field
Causes:
– Variation exists because the earth’s magnetic
and geographic poles are not co-located.
 Deviation:
vessel-Specific Error
· Due to on-board magnetic influences:
– Magnetic items
– Items to which magnets are attracted.
– Wires carrying DC electrical current.
· Reduce effects as much as possible:
– Keep compass away from influences
– Twist nearby DC wire pairs.
· Usually can’t eliminate them all.
 Magnetic Compass Error:
DEVIATION
• Magnetic deviation, the angle between the
compass needle and magnetic north due to the
presence of iron within the ship itself.
Causes:
– Deviation is caused by the interaction of the ship’s
metallic structure and electrical systems with the
earth’s magnetic field.
• Deviation can be compensated for but never
eliminated.
 •read

Digital Flux Gate Compass:

– Antennae is located at the top of the
mast to remove metallic effects of
the hull.
– Allows Deviation to be “Zeroed” by
auto-compensation
– Guides to Magnetic North
– Variation may be manually or
automatically entered.
 Compasses:
Selection & Mounting
• Selection • Mounting
· Best you can afford. · Easily visible to helm.
· Dial large enough for easy · Away from magnetic
reading. influences.
· Style suitable for · Align lubber line.
mounting location. · Determine deviation.
· Handheld compass · Recheck when new
recommended for taking equipment installed.
bearings.
 Adjustments and Correctors

The compass binnacle provides for the support of the

compass and such correctors;
· Vertical permanent heeling magnet in the central
vertical tube,
· Fore-and-aft B permanent magnets in their trays,
· Athwartship C permanent magnets in their trays,
· Vertical soft iron Flinders bar in its external tube,
· Soft iron spheres.
· Magnetic compass is
a primary means of
navigation.
· It is the ships
standard compass.
· It is fitted above the
bridge on the
monkey Island at the
centre line of the
ship.
• How to remove bubbles from magnetic compass
 Maintenance of magnetic
compass
· Air bubble check
· Fill up with distilled water and ethyl alcohol
mixture.
· Keep it with less vibration and in dry place.
· Safe distance from electronic equipment.
· Dimmer light to be checked.
· Cleaning.
· Q4: Explain the deviation
error, how to determine it,
and how to correct its effect?
· The amount a magnetic
compass needle is
deflected by magnetic
material in the ship is
called deviation. The
standard compass
provides a means for
checking the steering
compass and the
gyrocompass
· Q4: Explain the variation error,
where to find it, and how to
correct its effect?
· This variation causes a
magnetic compass needle
to point more or less away
from true north. The
amount the needle is offset
is called variation because
the amount varies at
different points on Earth’s
surface