USCG Exam PracticeDanger bearings and danger circles
A vessel is transiting a channel with a lighthouse bearing 270°T off the port beam. The charted danger bearing to that lighthouse is labelled NMT 275°T. The helmsman reports the current observed bearing is 278°T. Which statement is correct?
- A. The vessel is in safe water because 278°T is greater than 275°T
- ✓ The vessel has crossed the danger bearing and may be standing into dangerCorrect
- C. The vessel is safe because the bearing has not yet reached 270°T
- D. No action is required until the bearing equals exactly 275°T
Why B is correct
An NMT (not more than) label means the observed bearing must not exceed 275°T to remain in safe water. An observed bearing of 278°T exceeds the NMT limit, indicating the vessel has crossed to the dangerous side of the danger bearing. Bowditch Ch. 7 §706 defines the NMT convention.
Cited:Bowditch Ch. 7 §706