USCG Exam PracticeThree-bearing fix and cocked-hat triangle
A three-bearing fix is obtained by taking simultaneous compass bearings to three charted objects. The three lines of position rarely meet at a single point and instead form a small triangle. What is this triangle called?
- ✓ Cocked hatCorrect
- B. Running fix triangle
- C. Danger bearing triangle
- D. Clearing triangle
Why A is correct
When three simultaneous LOPs are plotted, they typically form a small triangle known as the cocked hat. A small cocked hat indicates a good fix; a large one signals bearing or plotting error. (Bowditch Ch. 7 §705)
Cited:Bowditch Ch. 7 §705