USCG Exam PracticeDanger bearings and danger circles
A three-bearing fix produces a large cocked hat near a charted shoal. According to Bowditch, which position should the navigator assume for safety?
- A. The centre of the cocked hat, as it represents the most probable position
- ✓ The corner of the cocked hat nearest the hazardCorrect
- C. The corner of the cocked hat farthest from the hazard
- D. The intersection of the two most reliable LOPs, ignoring the third
Why B is correct
Bowditch Ch. 7 §705 states that where the cocked hat triangle lies near a hazard, the corner nearest the danger is assumed for safety. This conservative assumption ensures the navigator plans for the worst-case position within the fix uncertainty.
Cited:Bowditch Ch. 7 §705