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The Skill Every Navigator Must Know: Position Plotting

June 18, 2020 · 7 min · 10K views

What this video covers

Plotting a vessel's position on a paper chart requires precision with a Bretton plotter and dividers.0:28 To plot by latitude and longitude, identify the coordinates on the chart’s border scales.0:49 Use a pencil to mark the latitude on the side scale and the longitude on the top or bottom scale.2:04 Place the plotter at a 90-degree angle to the chart’s edge at these marks to draw intersecting lines; the intersection point marks the position.2:56 When plotting by bearing and distance, locate the reference point, such as a lighthouse, and align the plotter’s central disc with the chart’s vertical or horizontal grid lines.6:12 Ensure the plotter’s orientation arrow points toward the bearing before drawing the line.6:04 Measure the distance using the chart’s latitude scale, as one minute of latitude equals one nautical mile.6:52 Standing directly over the chart while marking prevents parallax errors and ensures the plotter remains square to the grid.6:33

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