USCG Exam PracticeRunning fix from a single object
Why is a running fix considered less accurate than a fix derived from simultaneous LOPs?
- A. Because radar bearings are inherently less precise than visual bearings
- ✓ Because the advanced LOP assumes the vessel maintained the planned course and speed between observations, introducing potential errorCorrect
- C. Because a single object can only produce one usable LOP regardless of the number of observations
- D. Because the doubling-the-angle technique requires a course change between bearings
Why B is correct
Bowditch Ch. 7 §702 states the running fix is less accurate than a fix from simultaneous LOPs. Bowditch Ch. 23 §2301 identifies the basic assumption that the vessel held the planned course as a source of navigational error, which directly affects the accuracy of the advanced LOP.