USCG Exam PracticeVisual piloting — three-bearing fixes, danger bearings
A navigator observes that the compass bearing to a vessel ahead has remained 005°T for the past five minutes while the range has been steadily decreasing. What conclusion is supported by this information?
- A. The other vessel is crossing ahead and will pass clear
- ✓ Risk of collision exists because of constant bearing with decreasing rangeCorrect
- C. The other vessel is on a reciprocal course and risk of collision does not exist
- D. The bearing must be verified by radar before any conclusion can be drawn
Why B is correct
Bowditch Ch. 7 §704 states that if compass bearing remains constant and range is decreasing (CBDR), risk of collision exists. The bearing data alone is sufficient to draw this conclusion.
Cited:Bowditch Ch. 7 §704